Work and motherhood - female employment does not reduce fertility

Summarises findings from a long-term randomised controlled trial in Ethiopia.

From:
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Published
1 May 2026
Country:
Ethiopia
Document Type:
Briefing
Theme:
Economic Growth
First published:
1 December 2025
Authors:
Kotsadam, A. , Pieters, J. and Villanger, E.

Abstract

This brief summarises findings from a long-term randomised controlled trial in Ethiopia that examined how access to factory jobs influences fertility trajectories. Over 9 years, the study followed 1,464 married women who initially applied for jobs in 27 garment and shoe factories located across five industrializing regions.

This research is part of the Gender, Growth and Labour Markets in Low-Income Countries programme.

Citation

Kotsadam A and others. ‘Work and motherhood- female employment does not reduce fertility’ G2LM LIC Policy Brief 84, 2025

Work and motherhood - female employment does not reduce fertility

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Published 1 May 2026
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