Liberalization of abortion and the reproductive and labor market outcomes of women in Europe and Germany

• Applicants: Professorin Dr. Aderonke Osikominu; Professorin Dr. Mirjam Stockburger
• Subject Area: Economic Policy, Applied Economics
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 556759166

This research project focuses on the impact of abortion liberalizations on women's reproductive and economic outcomes in Europe and Germany. Empowering women to make decisions about their reproductive health is essential for gender equality, enabling them to achieve educational and career goals, and improving maternal health. Since the 1960s, changes in contraceptive technology and attitudes towards birth control have increased women's options for preventing and terminating unintended pregnancies. While many countries have liberalized abortion laws, the topic remains controversial, with recent developments showing both expansions and restrictions in access. For instance, the US Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade contrasts with Germany's recent lift on the ban of advertising abortions. Our research project will examine the effects of abortion legislation through a comprehensive analysis of data from across Europe and a detailed study of Germany, e.g., during reunification. We will create a unified database combining official statistics on abortions, fertility, demographic, and economic outcomes, augmented with individual level data for Germany. This data will help us analyze trends and identify the impacts of different abortion policies on reproductive and economic variables. Using a difference-in-differences (DiD) approach, we will explore the effects of varying legal restrictions on abortion across European countries over time. For Germany, we will utilize the unique natural experiment provided by the reunification, which saw different abortion laws in East and West Germany harmonized, allowing us to study the effects of both liberalization and restriction within a single country. Our dual approach aims to uncover how changes in abortion laws affect women's outcomes, considering factors like access to contraception and abortion services. By examining these effects across different contexts and over time, we hope to provide a clearer understanding of how abortion legislation influences women's lives and contributes to broader societal outcomes.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Australia
• Cooperation Partner: Dr. Gregor Pfeifer