Federal Institute for Population Research

Top news

Babyschuhe auf Babybett (refer to: Just fertility postponement or permanent fertility decline?) | Source: © luchschenF/stock.adobe.com

Fertility trends in OECD countriesJust fertility postponement or permanent fertility decline?

Experts discussed the causes of falling birth rates at the OECD webinar on 20 June 2024. BiB Director Prof. Dr. C. Katharina Spieß and BiB Research Director Prof. Dr. Martin Bujard were also present.

Miscellaneous PublicationsThe Effect of Grandchildren on Grandparental Labour Supply: Evidence from Europe

Backhaus, Andreas; Barslund, Mikkel (2019)

EconPol Working Paper 31

Grandparents spend a considerable amount of time taking care of their grandchildren. For grandparents still at working-age, these time transfers might imply relevant economic trade-offs with regard to the participation in the labour market. Using an instrumental variable strategyand multiple waves of the Survey ofHealth, Ageing and Retirement in Europe, we estimate the causal effect of grandparenthood on the labour supply of working-age grandparents in nine European countries. In our preferred specification, we find a large negative impact of grandparenthood on the labour force participation of women aged 55 to 64. By contrast, the intensive margin in terms of hours worked is unaffected. Male labour supply does not significantly adjust in response to grandparenthood. Complementary to their time transfers, grandmothers also transfer more gifts to their descendants than women who do not have grandchildren.

Use of cookies

Cookies help us to provide our services. By using our website you agree that we can use cookies. Read more about our Privacy Policy and visit the following link: Privacy Policy

OK