Reproductive Behaviour at the End of the World: The Effect of the Cuban Missile Crisis on U.S. Fertility

We exploit the timing of the Cuban Missile Crisis and the geographical variation in mortality risks individuals faced across states to analyze reproduction decisions. The results of a difference-in-differences approach show evidence that fertility increased in states that are geographically closer to Cuba and states with more military installations. The findings suggest that when facing high mortality risks, individuals might discount future at an extremely high rate and indulge in reproductive activities.