Exploring cross-country heterogeneity in the relation between female labor force participation and fertility in Latin America

Abstract

In Latin America, despite an apparent convergence on the relation between female labor force participation (FLFP) and total fertility rates (TFR), there are differences between and within countries that must be considered. This paper aimed to understand the heterogeneity in the relation between the FLFP rate and the TFR in Latin American from 1990 to 2018 in order to identify cross-country patterns. Using World Bank data for the 20 countries in Latin America, clustering longitudinal data was performed, and mixed-effect models were fitted to quantify the heterogeneity. Three patterns of relationship were observed in Latin American countries: low TFR and intermediate FLFP, high TFR and high FLFP, and high TFR and low FLFP. The heterogeneity identified suggests the diversity of socio-economic and cultural factors influences the dynamics of the relation between FLFP and TFR in Latin America.