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THE SHORT-TERM IMPACTS OF FACTORY EMPLOYMENT ON THE FERTILITY CHOICES OF YOUNG MARRIED WOMEN: EVIDENCE FROM ETHIOPIA USING A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL [Abstract ID: 0303-08]
In this paper we examine the causal effects of working in the export-led manufacturing industry on women's fertility choices by use of a randomized field experiment. Over a period of six months, we followed 709 married women who applied and were eligible for a job in the light manufacturing industry in Ethiopia. Half of the sample was randomly assigned to receive a job offer, while the other half were rejected. We find strong effects on income by treatment. Moreover, we find that respondents who had a formal wage job the last six months are less likely to be pregnant at follow-up. However, there are no effects on desired lifetime fertility, nor on household decision-making power.