Volume 22 - Article 13 | Pages 321–346  

Can public policies sustain fertility in the Nordic countries?: Lessons from the past and questions for the future

By Marit Rønsen, Kari Skrede

Abstract

The collective evidence of past research indicates that Nordic social welfare policies have had positive impacts on fertility. Yet, some patterns cause concern. One concern is that the good recuperation at cohort level partly is explained by relatively high fertility levels among women educated for female-dominated jobs with extensive part-time work. One may therefore question whether the present development is compatible with gender equality. Another concern is a more socially selective entry into fatherhood. Based on updated analyses of female as well as male fertility trends in Norway we address these issues, focussing especially on associations with educational level and field.

Author's Affiliation

• Marit Rønsen - Statistisk sentralbyrå (Statistics Norway), Norway EMAIL
• Kari Skrede - Statistisk sentralbyrå (Statistics Norway), Norway EMAIL

Other articles by the same author/authors in Demographic Research

Cohort fertility patterns in the Nordic countries
Volume 20 - Article 14

Fertility and family policy in Norway - A reflection on trends and possible connections
Volume 10 - Article 10

Fertility and Public Policies - Evidence from Norway and Finland
Volume 10 - Article 6

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