Summary

High-income, highly educated women are increasingly having more children compared to lower-income women, a trend attributed to income inequality and the rising cost of childcare.

Abstract

The article discusses a reversal in historical fertility trends, where now high-income, highly educated women are having more children than their lower-income counterparts. This shift is linked to the ability of high-income women to afford childcare, allowing them to work longer hours and invest more in their children's education. The article cites a report from the St. Louis Federal Reserve, which indicates that between 1980 and 2010, fertility rates among the top 10% of wage-earning women increased from 1.82 to 2.66 children, while the reverse occurred for women in the bottom 10%. The rising cost of childcare, which has more than doubled since 1985 when adjusted for inflation, is a significant factor in this change. The article also explores the implications of a $15 minimum wage, suggesting it could lead to high-income women having fewer children due to increased childcare costs and the resulting higher opportunity cost of having more children.

Opinions

The author suggests that income inequality is a key driver behind the changing fertility rates among different income groups.
It is implied that the ability to afford childcare is a major determinant in the decision to have more children, especially for working women.
The article posits that a higher minimum wage could paradoxically reduce fertility rates among high-income women by increasing the cost of childcare.
The author believes that the trend of higher fertility rates among wealthy women is leading to a more educated younger generation, as these mothers can invest more in their children's education.
There is an underlying concern that the growing inequality may lead to a society where only the wealthy can comfortably balance career and family life, while lower-income women face difficult choices between work and child-rearing.

Why rich Families are Having more Kids

“silhouette photo of five person walking on seashore during golden hour” by Kevin Delvecchio on Unsplash

How do we explain this phenomenon? In two Words: Income Inequality

Key Takeaways

Historically, low-income women with lower levels of education have had more children than high income, highly educated women
That trend is reversing as high income, highly educated women are having more children than ever before
High-income women can better afford to pay for childcare, enabling them to have more children and work longer hours than low-income women
Women with high income and education can also better afford to invest in their children’s education. This is leading to a highly educated younger generation as more children are born into rich families.
A $15 (or higher) minimum wage leads to high-income women having fewer children and working less. This is because a higher minimum wage increases the cost of childcare, increasing the opportunity cost of having more children.

The Times They Are A Changin

Poor people have more kids than rich people. Anyone who has taken a labour economics class knows this to be true. At least it used to be true. According to a report from the St. Louis Federal Reserve. Rich, highly educated white women are having more kids than ever before.

The chart below shows fertility (on the vertical axis) and income Decile (on the horizontal axis). A 10 on the Income Decile is the to 10% of wage earners and 1 would be the bottom 10%. in 1980, women in the top 10% of wage earners were having an average of 1.82 kids. By 2010 that number jumped to 2.66. Meanwhile, the reverse is true for women in the bottom 10% of wage earners who were having 3.38 kids on average in 1980 compared to 2.96 in 2010.

Bottom line: Poor people are having fewer kids than ever and rich people are having more kids than ever.

How Do We Explain This Phenomenon?

In two words: Income Inequality

In 1985 the average weekly cost of childcare was around $84
In 2017 it was $211

And yes, these numbers are adjusted for inflation.

The report from the St.Louis Federal Reserve concludes that as income rises it makes more sense for women to pay for childcare costs so that they can work longer hours. Working longer hours allows them to further increase their income and be able to financially afford to have more children.

If you made $5,000 a week and had to pay $211 for childcare, it would make financial sense for you to go back to work since childcare costs are only 4.2% of your income. Since you go back to work quickly and work longer hours you are more likely to advance higher in your career and earn more money. Now it’s easier for you to have a second kid.

If you made $500 a week and had to pay $211 for childcare things look a little different. Childcare costs are 42% of your income, it’s a much more difficult decision to go back to work. Is it worth it to give up nearly half your income and spend less time with your kids? More lower-income women reduce the hours they work making it more difficult to financially afford the second kid.

More Educated Younger Generation

The chart below shows Women with a graduate degree (16 or more years of education) had an average of 1.19 kids in 1980, by 2010 that number jumped to 1.7.

A fascinating result of high income, highly educated women having more children is a more educated younger generation. Mothers with high levels of education are more likely to value education and are MUCH more able to afford to invest in their child’s education.

More kids being born to rich families means a highly educated younger generation.

Impacts of a $15 Minimum Wage

The Federal Reserve report models the impact of a $15 minimum wage on the fertility of high-income women. A rise in the minimum wage will raise the cost of childcare. The result is high-income women working fewer hours and having fewer children.

Bottom Line

If inequality continues to grow, rich women can more easily hire someone to help with childcare costs and go back to work. Rich women can have their family and a career, while poor women will have to choose.

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This article is for informational purposes only, it should not be considered Financial or Legal Advice. Not all information will be accurate. Consult a financial professional before making any major financial decisions.