Based on a structural model of fertility and female labour force supply with unobserved heterogeneity and state … dependence, we evaluate the 2007 reform of parental leave benefits in Germany, which replaced a flat, means-tested benefit by a … generous earnings-related transfer. The model predicts a short-term fertility effect of about 4%, which is consistent with …

earnings. Females in Germany adapt their fertility behaviour more strongly in response to economic incentives than their … harmonisation process related to European integration. This study uses large scale administrative data from France and Germany to … analyse and directly compare fertility patterns in two major European economies over a period of 15 years. Strong evidence is …