Spatial Variation in the Educational Gradient of First Motherhood in Spain: Occurrence and Timing

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Demography
• Economics

Background:

• Cross-national studies show education influences fertility.
• Intra-country variations in this relationship are often overlooked.
• Spain exhibits lowest-low and latest-late fertility patterns.

Purpose of the Study:

• Examine educational gradient heterogeneity in fertility across Spanish provinces.
• Analyze regional differences in the timing and occurrence of first motherhood.
• Investigate the link between educational attainment and fertility within Spain.

Main Methods:

• Utilized 2011 Spanish census data for 656,248 women (aged 25-50).
• Reconstructed reproductive histories, focusing on 403,140 mothers.
• Applied mixture cure models to differentiate fertility occurrence and timing.

Main Results:

• Significant regional variability found in the educational gradient of fertility (occurrence and timing).
• Cross-province variation in fertility timing driven by non-university educated women.
• Negative association between educational gradient and provincial GDP per capita, especially for timing.

Conclusions:

• Educational gradient of fertility is not uniform across Spain.
• Regional disparities in fertility are influenced by education and economic development.
• Heterogeneous behavior of women with lower educational attainment shapes fertility timing.