We advance an explanation for the combination of low female participation rates with lowest-low fertility levels in Italy. Starting from the assumption that childbearing decisions are affected by uncertainty about future employment, income, and wealth, we build three measures of economic insecurity and test their effect on fertility in Italy. We show that the instability of women’s work status (i.e. the fact of holding occasional and precarious positions) significantly discourages childbearing. Household wealth insecurity significantly and positively affects the decision to postpone, or even renounce, the first childbearing. The chances of further childbearing are significantly and negatively influenced by household income insecurity.
Modena, F., Rondinelli, C., Sabatini, F. (2011). Economic insecurity and fertility intentions: the case of Italy. Paper prepared for presentation at the IARIW-OECD Conference on Economic Insecurity Paris, France, November 22-23, 2011