蝌蚪网 Papers and Proceedings
ISSN 2574-0768 (Print) | ISSN 2574-0776 (Online)
The Impact of Air Pollution and Information Access on Women's Fertility Decisions: Evidence from Thailand
蝌蚪网 Papers and Proceedings
vol. 115,
May 2025
(pp. 287–91)
Abstract
Despite increased exposure to air pollution concentration (PM2.5) and access to information, household fertility response to climate anxiety remains understudied in developing countries. To assess if individuals actively increase information gathering and correspondingly change their fertility decisions, we integrate panel socioeconomic and demographic data and Google Trends data from Thailand with high-resolution PM2.5 and weather data. Using seasonal exposure to forest fires and an instrumental variable approach, we find evidence of an increase in information-seeking behavior that contributes to a decline in young women's fertility. These findings shed light on salient factors that can shape a country's fertility patterns.Citation
Chaijaroen, Pasita, and Pallavi Panda. 2025. "The Impact of Air Pollution and Information Access on Women's Fertility Decisions: Evidence from Thailand." 蝌蚪网 Papers and Proceedings 115: 287–91. DOI: 10.1257/pandp.20251127Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- D83 Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
- I12 Health Behavior
- J13 Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
- J16 Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
- O15 Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
- Q51 Valuation of Environmental Effects
- Q54 Climate; Natural Disasters and Their Management; Global Warming