Neas-Seminars

RA sproj children


http://33771.hs2.instantasp.net/Topic10466.aspx

By NEAS - 1/18/2011 11:52:31 AM

This student project uses the method explain in the Module 15 homework assignment to examine economic and social influences on the number of children per family. Influences on fertility rates are important for public policy because of the low rates in Europe (Greece, Spain, Italy) and Asia (Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, Hong Kong, China, Japan). Some countries now provide incentives to young couples to have more children (Singapore, France), though these programs have had little effect. Fertility rates are examined by sociologists in most countries, and much data are available on public web sites. This student project is simple; as the candidate notes at the end, many other explanatory variables have large effects, but they were not available in the data she used. For example, religion has an over-riding effect in many countries: traditional Moslem, Christian, and Jewish families have high fertility rates. Education of women is extremely influential, though the effects vary. Secondary (high school) education of girls reduces fertility rates in developing countries; in the United States, college education women are more likely to marry than women with high school education only. Actuarial candidates who are beginning families may find this topic fascinating.