Generalized morality and contemporary fertility dynamics across European regions

This study focuses on the concept of generalised morality (GM), a cultural trait measured with the values of respect, obedience, generalised trust and control. Since GM drives economic prosperity and the way nations organise their welfare, we investigate how it matters for contemporary fertility trends. We consider the period between 2000 and 2014, when divergent fertility trends in Europe arose and the Great Recession took place. Using Eurostat and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) data for 177 regions in 23 European countries, we demonstrate that GM plays a moderating role with educational expansion and when there is a global shock – here the Great Recession.