Linkages between fertility and employment of women in Turkey: event history analyses using TDHS-2008

Ayse Abbasoglu-Ozgoren, Hacettepe University
Aysit Tansel, Middle East Technical University
Banu Akadli Ergöçmen, Hacettepe University

The main aim of this study is to understand the complex interdependencies between childbearing and women’s employment in Turkey by using micro-level approach. The objective of this study is primarily to test the role incompatibility hypothesis in Turkey, and specifically to measure (i) the effect of employment on fertility, (ii) the effect of fertility on employment, and (iii) to investigate what differences exist as regards the linkages between fertility and employment of women belonging to different sub-groups. This study uses retrospective data from 2008 Turkey Demographic and Health Survey. The methodology employed is piece-wise constant exponential event history modelling. The determinants of entering employment, exiting employment, and becoming pregnant are analyzed separately. Our preliminary findings based on fertility models indicate that being non-employed or working in agriculture and/or without social security are associated with higher risks of conception.