The impact of family policies on fertility: An international comparison
Study commissioned by the Robert Bosch Foundation

Fertility rates have declined in all OECD countries throughout the last decades. Despite this common secular trend, there is substantial heterogeneity both in the current level of birth rates and in the past development. Germany, Spain, and Italy display lower fertility rates than France, the United Kongdom, and the Scandinavian countries. All countries use some redistributional measures directed towards families, with some variation in the structure of packages and the leveel of benefits. Although these measures are mainly motivated by equity considerations, they will generally also have an impact on fertility.