New Zealand’s fertility rate has hit a record low in 2023 as the total number of births declined, according to official data. Fertility rate is a measure of the average number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime.
In New Zealand, as well as in many other countries, this number has decreased in recent years due to various factors such as increased education and workforce participation among women, as well as greater access to contraception.
Statistics New Zealand reported that, there were 1,932 fewer babies in the year ending than in the previous year, the lowest number of births in 20 years. This decline occurred despite a 3 percent increase in the number of women of childbearing age (15-49).
The fertility rate has reached a record low of 1.56 births per woman, which is attributed to the combination of fewer births and an increase in the number of women in the population. This rate is far below the 2.1 rate required to maintain the population in the long run. In 2022, the fertility rate was 1.66.
NZ’s analyst, Rebekah Hennessey has reported that, “The latest decline reflects a continued trend of smaller average family sizes and increased rates of childlessness, although the total fertility rate is also affected by changes in the age of giving birth.”
The average age of people giving birth is 31.3 years, compared to 31.2 in 2022. Since 1999, the median age has remained around 30 years, compared to the 1970s, when the median age was closer to 25.
Hennessey said that, “If women start having children later in life, they may have fewer children, which plays a part in the lower fertility rate, and the age gap between children can also affect the lower fertility rate.”
The figures indicate that New Zealand had its smallest yearly population growth, excluding migration, since World War II, with 19,071 more births than deaths, compared to almost 20,000 more births than deaths in 2022. The decreasing fertility rates in New Zealand are following a global trend, particularly in western countries.
This decline in births has raised concerns over the ageing population, workforce shortages, and the risk of having uninhabited towns. However, some people have noted the advantages of a decrease in population, especially those who are worried about the negative impact of overpopulation on the environment.
Hennessey also added that, “The number of births is driven by a complex mix of social and demographic factors that change over time. There will be a range of reasons for the drop in births in 2023, and these may include the higher cost of living, higher rents, and the cost of home ownership.”
“But factors like women’s education, participation in the workforce, and access to contraception have also been shown to reduce the number of babies people have,” she added.
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