Determinants of Women's Fertility Behavior in Russia

The present study aimed at identifying and assessing the factors affecting childbearing behavior of women in the Russian Federation. Under fertility behavior is considered the actual birth rate and abortion. The empirical analysis is based on RLMS data from 2004 to 2013. The sample included individual characteristics exclusively to women. Thus, the results of empirical analysis confirmed the main hypotheses regarding childbearing and abortion. The adoption of the decision on the birth of a child largely depends positively on the higher education, marital status, residence in the city, life satisfaction, number of existing children. Negatively depends on age and income. And also there exists a nonlinear dependence on the square of age. Dummy variables for the year showed a slight increase in the birth rate after 2007. This may indicate the positive impact of the maternity capital, which was introduced in early 2007.The adoption of the decision on the termination of pregnancy negatively depends on living in a big city (Moscow, St.-Peterburg), higher education and age. Other variables are not significant and require further study.