Gender preference at birth: A new measure for son preference based on stated preferences and observed measures of parents' fertility decisions

Investigating preference for sons is a continuing focal area of development economics and demographic research. Son presents challenge in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals ‘no poverty’, ‘good health wellbeing’, ‘gender equality’ by 2030. It thus important to investigate son inform policy-makers potential challenges these goals. Inaccurate interpretation mechanisms could misinform policy analysis result unintended consequences. Existing measures including sex ratios gender composition children do not reflect true extent high fertility countries such as Pakistan, where success action limited significant barriers sex-selective technologies exist. Given likely impact on behaviour accurate measurement forms this bias can take necessary appropriately gauge influence outcomes. The capacity existing accurately depict with combined demarcation between pre- post-birth warrants new measure evaluate its effects. In paper, called preferences at birth’ (GPB) presented. GPB combines stated observed outcomes acknowledge that households low contraception usage have less control over their decisions.