Journal Article

Education and second birth rates in Denmark 1981-1994

Gerster, M., Keiding, N., Knudsen, L. B., Strandberg-Larsen, K.
Demographic Research, 17:8, 181–210 (2007)

Abstract

A high educational attainment is shown to have a positive effect on second birth rates for Danish one-child mothers during the period 1981-94. We examine whether a timesqueeze is a possible explanation: due to the longer enrolment in the educational system, highly educated women have less time at their disposal in order to get the desired number of children. Also, we examine to what extent the partner’s education can explain some of the positive effect. We find no evidence that the positive effect of education is due to a time-squeeze nor to a partner effect.
The Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR) in Rostock is one of the leading demographic research centers in the world. It's part of the Max Planck Society, the internationally renowned German research society.