International Reproduction Policy Database (IRPD)

The International Reproduction Policy Database (IRPD) provides a novel approach to measure policies that directly regulate human reproduction. Reproduction policy is an often neglected domain of state intervention in comparative research, and a comprehensive quantitative database has so far been lacking. IRPD contains multiple indicators in each of five regulatory fields: abortion, contraception, medically assisted reproduction, pregnancy care and sex education. We measure national-level formal regulations for each year between 1980-2020. The database allows to address a wide-range of research questions across various social science disciplines. The International Reproduction Policy Database (IRPD) provides a novel approach to measure policies that directly regulate human reproduction. Reproduction policy is an often neglected domain of state intervention in comparative research, and a comprehensive quantitative database has so far been lacking. IRPD contains multiple indicators in each of five regulatory fields: abortion, contraception, medically assisted reproduction, pregnancy care and sex education. We measure national-level formal regulations for each year between 1980-2020. The database allows to address a wide-range of research questions across various social science disciplines.