The (temporary) Covid-19 baby bust in Mexico

Abstract

In this paper, we investigate whether fertility and newborn health changed during the Covid-19 pandemic in Mexico. We use national administrative data and an event-study design to examine the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on fertility and newborn health characteristics. Our findings suggest that Mexico’s fertility declined temporarily as measured by conceptions that likely occurred during the stay-at-home order. Initially, the general fertility rate fell by 11–12 per cent but quickly rebounded and returned close to its original levels by the end of 2021. Newborn health also deteriorated during the pandemic. Instances of low birthweight and prematurity substantially increased, with both remaining elevated over the entire pandemic period.

Keywords:

• Covid-19
• pandemic
• births
• fertility
• newborn health
• low birthweight
• Mexico

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1 Adan Silverio-Murillo and Judith Senyancen Méndez Méndez are based in the School of Government, Tecnologico de Monterrey. Lauren Hoehn-Velasco is based in the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Georgia State University. Jose Roberto Balmori de la Miyar is based in the Business School, Universidad Anáhuac.

2 Please direct all correspondence to Adan Silverio-Murillo, School of Government, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Av. Revolución 756, CDMX, 03700, Mexico; or by E-mail: [email protected].