Fertility, growth, and public investments in children

In this paper it is shown how subsidies for education and for the number of children affect economic growth, fertility, and welfare in an endogenous growth model with altruistic agents. Subsidizing education has not only a direct positive effect on growth but also an indirect positive effect on growth through reducing fertility. After some finite periods, future generations will gain in welfare in the education-subsidy regime. In contrast, subsidizing the number of children increases fertility, depresses growth and reduces all generations' welfare.