Do unconditional cash transfers increase fertility? Lessons from a large-scale program

Sefa Awaworyi Churchill, Nasir Iqbal, Saima Nawaz, Siew Ling Yew

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We examine the impact of unconditional cash transfers (UCTs) on fertility. We develop a theoretical model that demonstrates how UCTs affect fertility decisions, time allocations for leisure, labor and childrearing, and child health through health spending. We then empirically examine the impact of UCTs on fertility in Pakistan. Our theoretical model suggests that under certain conditions, UCTs are likely to increase fertility if UCTs increase child health regardless of how they affect parental leisure, labor and childrearing time. The empirical results suggest that UCTs have a positive effect on fertility.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)74-96
Number of pages23
JournalEconomic Inquiry
Volume62
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2024

Keywords

  • BISP
  • cash transfer
  • fertility
  • Pakistan

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