This policy brief is based on an analysis of Ireland and Iceland with respect to the causes that lead to their high fertility rates. Since Ireland is considered as a typical male breadwinner model country it is important to investigate the structural and institutional reasons and their underlying mechanisms that encourage child bearing. Iceland, on the other hand, has also an extremely high fertility rate, but contrary to Ireland there is high female labor force participation. The idea behind the comparison presented is that there are significant structural differences in both countries which should lead to different effects, but instead the outcome (in terms of birth rate) is almost identical in both countries.
The upcoming chapter tries to give an overview about existing studies dealing with the decline in fertility rate. This overview is followed by a general idea about the underlying theoretical conception of the presented comparison. It also will portray the categories in which the independent variables can be divided. In the following chapter the characteristics of a couple of influences of the countries of Ireland and Iceland will be described in detail. These characteristics will be compared and analyzed in Chapter 4, which also tries to give some hypotheses about how their influence affects the fertility rate. Chapter 5 finally will infer some implications for the policy makers in the investigated countries from the compiled hypotheses.
Table of Contents
- 1 INTRODUCTION
- 2 THEORETICAL CONCEPTION
- 3 COUNTRY CHARACTERISTICS
- 3.1 IRELAND
- 3.2 ICELAND
- 4 STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS
- 5 IMPLICATIONS FOR POLICY MAKERS
- 6 CONCLUSION
Objectives and Key Themes
This policy brief aims to analyze the determinants of high fertility rates in Ireland and Iceland, two countries with significantly different societal structures yet similar birth rates. The comparison seeks to understand the underlying mechanisms that encourage childbearing in each context.
- Comparison of fertility rates in Ireland and Iceland despite differing societal structures.
- Examination of the influence of economic factors on fertility rates.
- Analysis of the role of family policies and welfare systems.
- Assessment of the impact of employment market conditions and women's labor force participation.
- Derivation of policy implications for both countries.
Chapter Summaries
1 Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for a comparative analysis of Ireland and Iceland's surprisingly similar high fertility rates, despite their differing societal structures. It highlights the "male breadwinner model" in Ireland versus high female labor force participation in Iceland, posing the question of how these contrasting structures can lead to similar birth rates. The chapter outlines the structure of the policy brief, previewing an overview of existing studies on fertility decline, a theoretical framework for the comparison, a detailed description of country characteristics, a structural analysis comparing these characteristics, and finally, policy implications.
2 Theoretical Conception: This chapter reviews existing research on fertility rate decline in modern welfare states. It discusses various theoretical approaches focusing on macro-level factors like economic restructuring, shifts in attitudes and gender roles, family instability, and increasing wealth. Micro-level approaches are also considered, emphasizing the roles of women's education, labor participation, income, unemployment, and individual childbearing desires. The chapter proposes a model categorizing influential factors into six broad categories: general economic development, employment markets, welfare states, family policies, demographic conditions, and individual and societal attitudes, with a note that due to data limitations, the final category will not be deeply explored in this paper.
3 Country Characteristics: This chapter presents an overview of Ireland and Iceland, focusing on factors relevant to fertility rates. For Ireland, it traces the country's economic transformation from poverty (including the Great Famine) to current EU-leading wealth, while noting the paradox of persistent poverty and child poverty despite this affluence, posing questions about economic reinvestment and social inequality. The chapter also examines Ireland's public social expenditure in relation to OECD averages. For Iceland, the chapter will present relevant characteristics, although specific details are not provided in the given excerpt.
Keywords
Fertility rates, Ireland, Iceland, structural comparison, economic development, family policies, welfare states, employment markets, gender roles, societal attitudes, poverty, social inequality, female labor force participation.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comparative Analysis of High Fertility Rates in Ireland and Iceland
What is the main focus of this policy brief?
This policy brief analyzes the determinants of high fertility rates in Ireland and Iceland, two countries with significantly different societal structures yet surprisingly similar birth rates. The comparison aims to understand the underlying mechanisms that encourage childbearing in each context.
What are the key themes explored in this analysis?
The analysis explores the comparison of fertility rates in Ireland and Iceland despite differing societal structures; the influence of economic factors on fertility rates; the role of family policies and welfare systems; the impact of employment market conditions and women's labor force participation; and the derivation of policy implications for both countries.
What is the structure of the policy brief?
The policy brief includes an introduction, a theoretical conception chapter reviewing existing research on fertility decline, a chapter detailing country characteristics of Ireland and Iceland, a structural analysis comparing these characteristics, and finally, a conclusion with policy implications.
What theoretical framework is used?
The analysis utilizes a model categorizing influential factors into six broad categories: general economic development, employment markets, welfare states, family policies, demographic conditions, and individual and societal attitudes. Due to data limitations, the last category is not deeply explored.
How does the analysis address Ireland's context?
The analysis examines Ireland's economic transformation from poverty to current EU-leading wealth, while noting the paradox of persistent poverty and child poverty despite this affluence. It also investigates Ireland's public social expenditure in relation to OECD averages and the “male breadwinner model” prevalent in the country.
How does the analysis address Iceland's context?
The analysis presents an overview of relevant characteristics of Iceland pertinent to fertility rates, though specific details are limited in the provided excerpt. The high female labor force participation in Iceland is contrasted with the Irish “male breadwinner model”.
What are the key findings or policy implications (as previewed)?
Specific policy implications are not detailed in this preview, but the study aims to derive policy recommendations for both Ireland and Iceland based on the comparative analysis of their surprisingly similar high fertility rates despite their contrasting societal structures.
What are the keywords associated with this research?
Keywords include: Fertility rates, Ireland, Iceland, structural comparison, economic development, family policies, welfare states, employment markets, gender roles, societal attitudes, poverty, social inequality, female labor force participation.
- Quote paper
- Florian Wohlkinger (Author), 2007, Determinants of the Fertility Rates in Ireland and Iceland, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/117158
