Stability and change in male fertility patterns by cognitive ability across 32 birth cohorts
Link to article:
Authors:
Bratsberg, Bernt and Ole Røgeberg
Year:
2023
Reference:
Vol 19(6)Summary
The relationship between cognitive ability (CA) and childbearing remains unsettled. Using Norwegian administrative registers with population coverage, we study how male lifetime fertility patterns differ across cognitive score groups, and how these changed across the 1950–1981 birth cohorts, covering a period characterized by rapid social and economic change. The analyses reveal systematic differences in fertility and fertility timing across CA groups, with high scoring males having delayed but ultimately higher fertility than lower scoring males. This pattern remains stable over time despite strong trends towards delayed and reduced fertility. The overall positive relationship between CA and fertility is primarily driven by high rates of childlessness in the lowest scoring group, with low-scoring males showing higher rates of parity progression at higher parities.
Keywords:
fertility, cognitive ability, dysgenics
Project:
Oppdragsgiver: ForskningsrådetOppdragsgivers prosjektnr.: 300917
Frisch prosjekt: 1676 - Intergenerational Mobility and Labor Market Inclusion
