Analysis of the Determinants of Fertility Decline in the Czech Republic

In this paper we study the decline in total fertility rates in the
Czech Republic during the transition process. To identify
transition-specific features of this decline we use a multiperiod
model of birth process and apply it to the family and fertility
survey of 1998. In a standard duration analysis setting the model
allows for time-dependence of information sets, on which the
decision about the next birth is made. It also enables to estimate
probabilities of early exit from childbearing. In this work we find
that the negative effect of transition on TFR is mostly translated
through a sharply increased negative influence of higher education
on fertility, and through the apparent lack of adequate childcare
facilities.