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Article
A contribution to the economic theory of fertility
Economics Working Papers (2002–2016)
  • Juan Carlos Cordoba, Iowa State University
  • Marla Ripoll, University of Pittsburgh
Document Type
Working Paper
Publication Date
6-20-2011
Working Paper Number
WP #11011, June 2011
Abstract
The evidence strongly suggests a robust negative relationship between income and fertility, and a positive relationship between income and longevity. This is puzzling for standard dynamic models. For instance, altruistic models that use the most standard preferences in macro --time separable CRRA with low elasticity of intertemporal substitution (EIS)-- correctly predict a positive longevity-income relationship for rich individuals, but also predict a positive fertility-income relationship, contrary to the data. We show that a non-separable formulation of preferences that allows for a low EIS but a high "elasticity of intergenerational substitution" (EGS) can simultaneously account for the evidence of declining demand for children and increasing demand for longevity as income increases. The model with a single elasticity cannot account for both. Our results suggests a major role for a new parameter in macro, the EGS. While the EIS mostly influences short-term economic decisions, the EGS influences mostly long-term economic choices.
Disciplines
File Format
application/pdf
Length
36 pages
File Function
This version: June, 2011 (First version: April 2010)
Citation Information
Juan Carlos Cordoba and Marla Ripoll. "A contribution to the economic theory of fertility" (2011)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/juancarlos-cordoba/9/