How do regularization programs shape the fertility of forced migrants? Using data from a unique panel study of more than one thousand forced migrants from Venezuela residing in Colombia, this paper studies this question through a difference-in-difference design. It compares changes in childbearing patterns of regularized forced migrant households, vis-a vis those experienced by non-regularized forced migrant families, before and after the launch of a regularization program that granted full access to social services, as well as work permits. Eligibility to the regularization program was based on the migrant’s date of arrival to Colom bia, but the program was announced ex-post to the arrival of the migrants and was unknown to the public, hence, this study can credibly evaluate the program’s impact. The main find ings suggest that regularized forced migrant households reduced their childbearing, relative to their non-regularized counterparts. The impacts appear to be driven by program benefi ciaries’ improved access to labor market opportunities and health insurance, which may have facilitated access to family planning services.
