Fertility decline in Taiwan: a study using parity progression ratios

Area of Science:

• Demography
• Sociology

Background:

• Fertility rates in Taiwan have been declining.
• Marriage and motherhood levels remained high until the late 1980s.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the causes of Taiwan's fertility decline.
• To assess the role of family size in fertility trends.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing period parity progression ratios for demographic analysis.
• Examining trends in marriage, motherhood, and birth order.

Main Results:

• Fertility decline is primarily due to fewer second and higher-order births.
• Families with three or more children significantly support fertility levels.
• Period parity progression ratios suggest higher fertility than conventional measures, remaining at/above replacement until 1988.

Conclusions:

• Shifts in age at childbearing have depressed conventional total fertility rates.
• Large families are crucial for maintaining Taiwan's fertility.
• Fertility decline is mainly driven by reduced births beyond the first child.