Fertility and the Labor Market: A Comparative Analysis of Occupational Sectors in the Public and Private Spheres in Brazil

Gretta Ferreira, Statistician
Everton E. C. Lima, UNICAMP

The decline in fertility rates in Brazil, from 5.8 children per woman in 1970 to 1.9 in 2010, represents a significant demographic shift, positioning the country below replacement level. Various factors contributed to this decline, including increased access to contraception, urbanization, and broader socioeconomic transformations. Women's participation in the labor market has also influenced fertility decisions. Employment in the public sector generally provides a more supportive environment for women, offering benefits such as greater job security and better work-life balance. In contrast, women in the private sector often face greater challenges in balancing family and professional responsibilities. This study examines fertility outcomes based on data from the 2010 Brazilian census, with a focus on differences between public and private sector employees across specific job categories: health, administration and management, education, and technology. Preliminary results suggest that women employed in the public sector tend to have children at older ages and may exhibit higher fertility rates in certain job categories compared to their counterparts in the private sector. To further investigate the factors influencing these fertility trends, decomposition methods will be applied.

Keywords: Fertility, Census data, Economic Demography, Older Adults and Intergenerational Relations

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