New ABS statistics released today show Australia’s fertility rate has reached a record low of 1.48, well below the replacement rate of 2.1.
Dr Pelin Akyol, Research Manager at the e61 Institute, who has authored several research papers on fertility, said:
“Australia’s declining fertility rate is driven by three factors: later parenthood, parents having fewer children, and rising share of people without children. The most significant of those is parents having fewer children, leading to smaller average family size.
“Concerns about the cost of raising children and job security have consistently ranked as the
most important factors for both men and women in the decision to have a child.
“In recent years, three factors have increased in importance, particularly for young women: The cost of raising children; time and energy for one’s career; and availability and affordability of quality child care.
“Our research shows that government-funded financial incentives, such as the Howard government’s baby bonus, can meaningfully raise fertility for some groups, but they cannot fully counter broader demographic trends.
“Looking ahead, policies that support fertility while maintaining or enhancing workforce participation will become increasingly critical.”
https://e61.in/australias-fertility-decline-evidence-and-policy-experience/
Contact details:
Charlie Moore: 0452 606 171