Does unemployment have a causal impact on fertility? An empirical analysis based on Walloon municipalities.

The purpose of this empirical study was to identify the possible causal effect that unemployment may have on birth rates, using data of the Walloon municipalities from 2000 to 2014. This analysis is of particular interest for policy makers in order to propose future measures. We found that unemployment has a positive impact on fertility. Even if we find a causal impact of unemployment on birth rates, estimated coefficient remains low. At the aggregate level of municipalities, the effect of unemployment on birth rate seems very weak in an economic or a policy perspective especially compared to... Mehr ...