The effect of longevity on schooling and fertility: evidence from the Brazilian Demographic and Health Survey

Type Journal Article - Journal of Popuation Economics
Title The effect of longevity on schooling and fertility: evidence from the Brazilian Demographic and Health Survey
Author(s)
Volume 19
Issue 1
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2006
Page numbers 71-97
URL http://www.springerlink.com/content/u084uj13q4057k65/
Abstract
This paper presents microevidence on the effect of adult longevity on schooling and fertility. Higher longevity is systematically associated with higher schooling and lower fertility. The paper looks at the 1996 Brazilian Demographic and Health Survey and constructs an adult longevity variable based on the mortality history of the respondent's family. Families with histories of high adult mortality in previous generations have systematically higher fertility and lower schooling. These effects are not associated with omitted variables and remain unchanged after a large array of factors is accounted for (demographic characteristics, family-specific child mortality, regional development, socioeconomic status, etc.).

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