Causes of Declining Birth Rate in Australia

Throughout the world women are having fewer children than they were just twenty-five years ago. In 2002, Australia’s fertility rate was 1.75 which is well below replacement level.

This project will focus on the eight main factors that affect the birth rate, as well as compare Australia’s birth rate globally and look to the past to see how Australia’s birth rate has changed over the past century.

The birth rate is the template for tomorrow’s society and the declining birth rate will have far reaching consequences in the long term in relation to environmental, social and economic policy.

INTRODUCTION

The research topic selected is focused around Birth rates in Australia and the factors affecting its decline. This research topic was chosen because there have been many secondary articles written on it, as well as a general interest in the topic. The research question has been defined as, “Why is Australian Birth Rates declining”. This will be answered by researching into the factors that affect the birth rate, such as improving education for women and will be backed up by primary research of different aged women, who will reflect the secondary data collected.

The research topic is focused under the “Parenting and Caring” core but directly relates to individuals, communities and families. As individuals desire to postpone children or remain childless increases, the family structures in society will change, from that of a traditional nuclear family to DINKS and SINKS. As the need for family resources and services decreases; society will be affected through loss of jobs at facilities such as Childcare centres. Society’s structure will move from a traditional pyramid shape, where the young outnumber the old to a “coffin shaped” structure where the old will outnumber the young for the first time in history.

ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION

Education

Due to the declining birth rate, Australia’s employment opportunities will change, as fewer children will result in fewer jobs in the pre-school and primary education. However, the need for post-educational services will remain stable, if not increase – as people retrain and further their education. This will become especially relevant due to the Federal Government’s push to keep people in employment for a longer period of time. In the past, many retired at fifty-five and although had some superannuation, it was not enough to be self-sufficient, so it was combined with government support, such as the pension. Today, superannuation is collected from an early working age, so more individuals can be self-sufficient when they eventually leave the workforce. As the population ages and less people are in the workforce – the tax base will decrease, leaving less money for government support and subsidies.