The contribution of increases in family benefits to Australia's early 21st-century fertility increase: An empirical analysis

Abstract

Between 2001 and 2008 Australia's total fertility rate increased from 1.73 to 1.96. This period also saw changes to family benefits, most notably the introduction of a universal, flat-rate payment at birth and increased subsidisation of childcare. This paper analyses individual-level fertility, using data from a large-scale longitudinal survey and focusing on the effects of changes to family benefits, macroeconomic variables, entitlements to family-friendly working conditions, and socioeconomic and demographic characteristics. It finds that the effects of the Baby Bonus and the Child Care Rebate are slight, while the effects of education, income, occupation, marital status, age, and parity are significant. © 2011 Nick Parr & Ross Guest.