The Impact of Reproductive Awareness and Women’s Empowerment on Fertility Rates in Saudi Arabia: A Behavioral Economics Perspective

الملخص

This study investigates how reproductive awareness and women’s empowerment have influenced fertility rates in Saudi Arabia from 1999 to 2024 utilizing an ARDL framework. The analysis assesses both short-term and long-term relationshipsbetween fertility and key determinants, including contraceptive use, skilled birth attendance, female labour-force participation, and women’s income. The results indicate that women’s economic empowerment is strongly correlated with a reduction in fertility rates, with income functioning as a moderator that amplifies the fertility decline driven by reproductive awareness while mitigating the impact of healthcare improvements. These findings suggest that fertility transitions are predominantly propelled by economic incentives, underscoring the significance of aligning empowerment and health initiatives with Saudi Vision 2030.