» Economic Status, Gender Role Attitudes, and Fertility Outcomes: New Evidence from Egypt’s 2023 Fertility Decline -Under Review
Abstract
Egypt’s fertility rate declined to 2.5 children per woman in 2023, marking a significant demographic shift linked to rising educational attainment and greater women’s empowerment. This study examines the relationship between household wealth and fertility, with a particular focus on the mediating role of women’s gender role attitudes. Using nationally representative data from the 2023 Egyptian Labor Market Panel Survey (ELMPS), the analysis employs linear regression and bootstrapped mediation models to estimate the direct and indirect effects of wealth on fertility outcomes among 15,200 married women, with at least one living birth. Gender role attitudes were measured through a composite index based on responses to 11 statements on women’s rights and roles. The findings reveal that while both wealth and gender attitudes are individually associated with fertility, gender attitudes do not significantly mediate the wealth–fertility relationship once sociodemographic controls are introduced. These results highlight the complex pathways through which socioeconomic status and gender norms shape reproductive behavior in contemporary Egypt, offering important insights for demographic policy and gender equity initiatives.
» Alkasasbeh, Y. (2025). Women’s agency in Jordan: The impact of marriage and motherhood moderated by education (ERF Working Paper No. 1776). Economic Research Forum. https://erf.org.eg/publications/womens-agency-in-jordan-the-impact-of-marriage-and-motherhood-moderated-by-education/
Abstract:
Marriage and motherhood represent key milestones in commitment and family responsibilities. This paper explores
how women's agency in Jordan is influenced by these roles, as well as the education level. It highlights three aspects
of instrumental agency: decision-making, financial autonomy, and freedom of movement, along with intrinsic
agency for married women. The sample consists of women between the ages of 15 and 59 from the 2010 and 2016
Jordan Labor Market Panel Surveys. Findings suggest that motherhood reduces women's likelihood of participating
in household decision-making yet enhances their probabilities of mobility and intrinsic agency. The change in the
impact of motherhood on both decision-making and intrinsic agency remains insignificant, with education acting as
a moderating factor. Marriage increases the probability of achieving greater financial independence but restricts
mobility when compared to single women under similar conditions. Education significantly amplifies the positive
effects of marriage on financial autonomy but does not change the effect of marriage on the freedom of mobility.
» Bridging Education and Fertility: Unraveling the Role of Gender Attitudes- Forthcoming
Abstract:
In 2023, Jordan's fertility rate has decreased to 2.6 children per woman. This decline is linked to women achieving higher levels of education, which contributes to their empowerment. This study analyzes the number of births by estimating several linear regressions and mediation models to examine how women’s gender role attitudes influence the relationship between education and fertility. The data used comes from the Jordanian Labor Market Panel Surveys (JLMPS) conducted in 2010 and 2016. Women’s gender role attitudes were assessed using a 10-statement continuous scale reflecting their agreement with gender role statements. The findings indicate a strong connection between education and fertility rates. Specifically, an increase in years of education is significantly linked to lower fertility rates. Women who demonstrate intrinsic agency and hold egalitarian beliefs about gender typically have fewer children than those who adhere to unequal gender norms. Additionally, women with higher levels of education are more likely to possess egalitarian attitudes and beliefs regarding gender roles compared to those with lower educational attainment. However, women’s attitudes toward gender roles do not mediate the relationship between education and fertility. To further promote women’s empowerment, programs should focus on enhancing educational opportunities for women and encouraging more egalitarian views on gender roles.
» Alkasasbeh, Y. (2024). Inequality of higher educational opportunity – the role of circumstances among the Jordanian people. Applied Economics, 1–17.
Abstract:
This paper investigates the role of background circumstances in shaping individual opportunities in higher education in Jordan, for the whole population as well as for key subgroups based on gender and the geographical region of birth. I apply the Dissimilarity-Index de Barros et al., (2009), (2008), the Shapley decomposition Deutsch and Silber, (2008); Shorrocks, (2013) and the Human Opportunity index which was proposed by Barros, Vega, and Saavedra (2008). After implementing logistic models using both publicly available waves of the Jordan Labor Market Panel Survey JLMPS (2010 and 2016). My findings suggest that higher education attainment and the mean years of completed education have expanded for the whole population, as well as for all subgroups, despite the low coverage rate in both waves. Unequal opportunities in higher education are somewhat moderate in Jordan and are mainly explained by parental education, father’s occupation, and sector of work, with much less impact from gender, number of siblings, and the region of birth.
» Alkasasbeh, Y. (2024). Inequality of Opportunity in Monthly Wages in the Jordanian Labor Market. The Economic Research Forum (ERF) Working Paper No. 1759
Abstract:
This paper quantifies the inequalities of opportunities in monthly wages in the Jordanian labor market, drawing on Roemer (1993)’s distinction between circumstances and other unobserved/unexplained variables (luck, endowed genetics, culture, native ability) which for convenience we call effort. I borrow the parametric approach developed by Bourguignon, Ferreira, and Menéndez (2007) to calculate the shares of “unfair” inequality and analyze the main drivers of inequality of opportunity for the entire population and gender/birth region subgroups, using the nationally representative Jordan labor market panel surveys for 2010 and 2016. Also
complementary analyses of inequality of opportunity was conducted; the stochastic dominance test and generalized lorenz curves Lefranc, Pistolesi, and Trannoy (2008), which allowed to visualize the magnitude of the inequality of opportunities. Inequality of opportunity shares are small and
decline in the second survey wave. Women and both north and south-born subgroups experience greater unfair inequality. The main drivers across the sample are parental education, father’s occupation, and employment sector. Stochastic dominance tests confirm advantages for individuals with publicly employed fathers, white-collar fathers, highly educated parents, and men.
Gender Norms and Employment Dynamics in Jordan: Decades of Change (2010–2025)
Impacts of Early Marriage and Early Childbirth on Women's Employment in Egypt: Evidence from ELMPS 2023