Baby bonus in Switzerland: Effects on fertility, newborn health, and birth‐scheduling
Journal
Health Economics
ISSN
1057-9230
Type
journal article
Date Issued
2021
Author(s)
Abstract (De)
This paper studies the effect of birth allowances (so‐called baby bonus) on fertility, newborn health, and birth‐scheduling in Switzerland. Switzerland provides an optimal quasi‐experiment: 11 out of 26 cantons introduced a baby bonus during the last 50 years at different points in time. To identify the effect of changes in the baby bonus, we employ an event study with control groups using several administrative data sets on births, stillbirths, and infant deaths in
Switzerland from 1969 to 2017. While there is no evidence for birth‐scheduling, we find, however, a sizable but only temporary increase in the fertility rate of 5.5% and a permanent but diminishing increase in the birth weight of 2.8%. The latter effect is particularly strong at the lower end of the birth weight distribution. Furthermore, we document substantial heterogeneity by citizenship of mothers.
Switzerland from 1969 to 2017. While there is no evidence for birth‐scheduling, we find, however, a sizable but only temporary increase in the fertility rate of 5.5% and a permanent but diminishing increase in the birth weight of 2.8%. The latter effect is particularly strong at the lower end of the birth weight distribution. Furthermore, we document substantial heterogeneity by citizenship of mothers.
Language
English
HSG Classification
contribution to scientific community
HSG Profile Area
SEPS - Economic Policy
Refereed
Yes
Publisher
Wiley
Subject(s)
Eprints ID
269043
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hec_babybonus.pdf
Size
1.49 MB
Format
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