NZ mothers getting older

[MotherBear]

NZ mothers getting older
17 February 2006

New Zealand mothers are getting older, while the birth-rate continues to languish below the level required by a population to replace itself. According to figures released by Statistics New Zealand today, annual birth rates for the December 2005 year suggest New Zealand women average 2.0 births ? the same as for the last decade. The total fertility rate required for a population to replace itself without migration is 2.1 births per woman.

However, New Zealand is still marginally more fertile than Australia, which has only 1.8 births per woman, and England and Wales (1.7). Sub-replacement fertility is common among developed countries. Government statistician Brian Pink said while the total birth rate had been relatively stable, there had been "a significant shift" in the timing of births.

Last year, women aged 30-34 had the highest birth rate (120 births per 1000). Conversely, in 1995, women aged 25-29 had the highest rate (123 per 1000). The median age (half are younger and half older) of New Zealand women giving birth is now 30, compared with 29 in 1995 and 25 in 1975. Of the 57,740 births registered in New Zealand last year, 28,200 were girls and 29,550 were boys, and all can expect to live to a greater age than their parents.

A newborn girl can expect to live 81.3 years and a boy, 77 years ? a gain of 5.8 years for females and eight years for males since 1975-1977.

Deaths registered last year totalled 27,030: just over three-quarters were aged 65 or older, while only 6 per cent were aged under 40. All regions in New Zealand had more births than deaths in 2005.

[Daisyspop]

I've got news for them, fathers are getting older too as are the kids .

[MotherBear]

Older mums, fewer babies
18.02.06

New Zealand mothers are getting older while the birth-rate continues to languish below the replacement level. According to figures released by Statistics New Zealand yesterday, annual birth rates for the December 2005 year suggest New Zealand women average 2.0 births - the same as for the last decade.

The total fertility rate required for a population to replace itself without migration is 2.1 births per woman. Sub-replacement fertility is common among developed countries. But New Zealand is marginally more fertile than Australia, which has only 1.8 births per woman, and England and Wales (1.7).

Government statistician Brian Pink said while the total birth rate had been relatively stable, there had been "a significant shift" in the timing of births. Last year, women aged 30-34 had the highest birth rate of 120 births per 1000, while in 1995 it was women aged 25-29 with 123 per 1000 births.

The median age of New Zealand women giving birth is now 30, compared with 29 in 1995 and 25 in 1975.

[Glenda]

Well, with four kids I've done my bit for the population. ::)
[smilie=White_flag.gif]

;)

[MotherBear]

They'll not get any more out of me, either! [smilie=Stupid_grin.gif]