[Reproduction and marriage in Spain (1970-1990)]

Recent fertility trends in Spain are analyzed using data from official sources. The author notes that "changes in sexual behavior among the young during the 1970s have given rise to a considerable increase in the number of births conceived [outside of] marriage. However, in the majority of cases, marriage took place before the actual birth. Between 1970 and 1980, the proportion of women pregnant at moment of marriage grew from 10% to 21%. Those changes are similar to those which occurred in other countries ten or fifteen years previously." The author also observes that an increase in the use of effective contraception and earlier age at marriage have reduced the nonmarital fertility rate among the young, but not among other age-groups. Regional differences are noted, which the author suggests are primarily due to socioeconomic differences. (SUMMARY IN ENG)