Francesco Billari- Internet and Fertility

The impact of technological change on family and fertility has focused on contraceptives (the pill),
household appliances, medical progress. It is important to understand whether digitalization,
and the spread of the Internet in particular, has an effect. Earlier evidence points to a potential effect
on teenage fertility (and younger age fertility). Here we analyse the how access to high-speed
Internet has affected fertility at all ages. We use data drawn from the US Current Population Survey (CPS) and the European
Social Survey (ESS). To identify the effect of Internet usage on fertility, we use an
instrumental variable strategy which exploits geographical differences in local access to highspeed
internet. Our results provide evidence that high-speed internet increases individuals'
propensity to have children and has positive effects on fertility at later ages. The effects are largest among
high-skilled married women. Our results are consistent with Internet allowing more
flexible work schedules, facilitating work-family balance, and therefore reaching desired family
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