The book comprises three chapters, with each chapter assigned various type data such as time series data, cross sectional data and panel data. The purpose of this book is to explore the economic and social determinant factors of fertility. Unlike many previous empirical analyses of fertility and the related demographic events, this research has three characteristics. The first is that the relationship between fertility and labor participation by females is thoroughly considered, with much discussion about the structural change between those factors. The second is that time series analysis such as the Bayesian vector autoregressive (BVAR) model or co-integration concepts is applied to explore the determinant factors of fertility. The third is that the effectiveness of public policies related to improve fertility is confirmed. In recent years, micro-econometric analysis has become popular; however, this book takes another approach from the perspective of macro- or semi-macro-econometrics.

Autorentext
Hisakazu Kato, a Japanese national, is the professor of the School of Political Science and Economics, Meiji University since 2005. He graduated from Keio University in 1981 and completed graduate school of University of Tsukuba in 1988. He received Doctor in Economics from Chuo University in 2000. After he had served the Senior Researcher of Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry and Senior Research Fellow of National Institute of Population and Social Security, he works at Meiji University.. His major concern of research fields are an analysis of demographic trends and finance of social security using econometric method.

Inhalt
Low Fertility and Female Labor Supply in Japan.- Time Series Analysis using Bayesian VAR approach.- Analysis of the Regional Disparity in the Total Fertility Rate in Japan.- From the Perspective of Population Density and Socioeconomic Factors.- Total Fertility Rate, Economic-Social Conditions and Public Policies in OECD Countries.