THE DEMAND FOR CHILDREN IN ARAB COUNTRIES - EVIDENCE FROM PANEL AND COUNT DATA MODELS

This paper provides empirical evidence on fertility determinants in Ar ab countries. Adopting a macro and micro framework and exploiting pane l and count data models the paper estimates the impact of cultural and economic factors on the demand for children. The results obtained str ongly support the hypothesis that cross-country heterogeneity buttress es differentiated fertility and that female education mitigates high f ertility. Child mortality and parent's preferences for sons positively affect fertility. By and large, demand for children is price and inco me inelastic.