HAVING A SECOND CHILD AND ACCESS TO CHILDCARE: EVIDENCE FROM EUROPEAN COUNTRIES

• DOI: 10.1017/dem.2017.2
• Publication Date: 2017-05-08T11:30:29Z
• Authors: Hippolyte d’Albis; Paula E. Gobbi; Angela Greulich
• Keywords: Eu countries

Abstract This paper shows that differences in fertility across European countries mainly emerge due to fewer women having two children low-fertility countries. It further suggests childcare services are an important determinant for the transition a second child occur. The theoretical framework we propose (i) where coverage is low, there U-shaped relationship between couple’s probability of and woman’s potential wage, whereas (ii) with easy access childcare, this positively related wage. Data from Union Statistics on Income Living Conditions (EU-SILC) confirm these implications when estimating as function education. implies middle-income most affected ones by lack formal subsidized childcare.