The Earned Income Tax Credit and abortion

Using a panel of states between 1975 and 2005, I examine the relationship between the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and abortion. Results suggest that increases in the EITC are associated with reductions in the overall abortion rate. Specifically, a $1000 increase in the maximum credit is associated with a 7.6% decrease in the overall abortion rate. This effect implies a reduction of approximately 1.6 abortions per 1000 women of childbearing age. I also provide evidence that the reduction in abortions is attributable to a drop in pregnancies, not an increase in the number of births. In other words, women appear to respond to increases in EITC generosity by altering sexual behavior, rather than shifting abortion–birth decisions after a pregnancy occurs.

► I examine the relationship between the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and abortion.
► Analyses rely on state panel data between 1975 and 2005.
► Increases in the EITC are associated with reductions in the overall abortion rate.
► Declines in abortions are attributable to changes pregnancies rather than births.