Educational Differences in Cohort Fertility Across Sub-National Regions in Europe

Jessica Nisén , Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research
Sebastian Kluesener, Federal Institute for Population Research (BiB)
Johan Dahlberg, Stockholm University
Lars Dommermuth, Statistics Norway
Aiva Jasilioniene, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research
Michaela Kreyenfeld, Hertie School of Governance
Trude Lappegard, University of Oslo
Peng Li, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research
Pekka Martikainen, University of Helsinki
Karel Neels, Universiteit Antwerpen
Bernhard Riederer, Wittgenstein Centre (IIASA, VID/ÖAW, WU)
Saskia te Riele, Statistics Netherlands
Laura Szabó, Hungarian Demographic Research Institute
Alessandra Trimarchi, Institut National d’Études Démographiques (INED)
Francisco Viciana, Institute of Statistics and Cartography of Andalusia
Ben Wilson, Stockholm University
Mikko Myrskyla, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research

Educational differences in female cohort fertility vary widely across developed countries, but little attention has been paid to potential subnational variation therein. Our aim is to provide a comprehensive overview of the association between female cohort fertility and educational attainment at the regional level in contemporary Europe. We harmonise data – from population registers, censuses and large-sample surveys – for 15 European countries and measure education and region of residence at the end of women’s reproductive lives. We link these data to regional estimates of GDP in order to examine the role of regional development in explaining our results. We find evidence of subnational variation in educational gradients in completed fertility. In nine out of 15 studied countries the highly educated were most similar to the medium-educated in their fertility in the most developed region. The findings imply further evidence on systematic variation of the educational gradient in women’s fertility.

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 Presented in Session 10. Fertility, Family Planning, Sexual Behavior & Reproductive Health 2