Employment Instability and Childbirth over the Last 20 Years in Italy

Abstract

Family formation is fostered by circumstances of plannability and economic and social stability. Conversely, as documented in previous literature, employment insta bility can hamper fertility decisions. Based on data from the Italian Labour Force Survey, this paper examines the association between employment-related insta bility and the likelihood of having a frst or additional child from 2000 to 2020 in Italy, covering a period characterised by increasing labour market deregulation. Our results show that individual employment instability, such as temporary employment or unemployment, negatively infuences the likelihood of having a frst and second child, while the progression to higher parities is less afected by employment situa tions. Building upon previous research, we demonstrate how the negative associa tion between fertility and employment instability has intensifed over recent decades, especially for women. The large sample size also allowed for the examination of specifc diferences by educational levels and both partners’ employment situation. In contrast to traditional views about gender roles, the employment situation of one’s partner seems to matter less for women than for men.