[Recent trends in fertility in the state of Sao Paulo]

Fertility trends in the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo are analyzed for the period 1960-1980 using census and vital statistics data. The total fertility rate declined from 4.69 in 1960 to 3.40 in 1980; however, fertility has remained constant since 1975 following a rapid decline in the early 1970s. "The stability of the 1975-80 period is explained by an increase in the order of 10% of the native population of the State, an increase of the proportion of migrants, and an improvement of mortality levels, favoring women in the reproductive ages. Taking the socio-economic conjuncture of the State and the birth registration data of the first years of the 1980 decade as a reference, it is expected that the fertility decline will continue." (summary in ENG)