Austrian Women's Fertility: A Historical Perspective

Austrian women's fertility has been a topic of interest for many years. In the 18th century, a woman by the name of Mrs. Feodor Vassilyev reportedly gave birth to 69 children between 1725 and 1765. While this claim has been disputed, it has sparked conversations about the limits of female fertility. Today, Austrian women have a total fertility rate of 1.46 children per woman, which is below the replacement rate of 2.1. Various factors influence fertility, including age, egg quality, and social norms. In recent years, there has been a trend towards childbearing at older ages, which can impact fertility. Additionally, social norms and gender roles in Austria may also play a role in fertility rates, as most women are employed but many work part-time.

Austrian women are increasingly having children at older ages

The study also revealed that more women failed to meet their fertility intentions expressed at ages 34-36. While more than one-third of women and men with a strong fertility intention persisted with this intention for up to four years, even at less fertile ages, the chances of having a child decreased with age. Less than 10% of women and about 20% of men who expressed a certain short-term intention to have a child at ages 39-41 in 2008/09 had achieved this by 2012/13.

The increasing trend of childbearing at older ages is not unique to Austria, as women in other parts of the world, such as Europe, North America, and some Asian countries, are also delaying motherhood. This trend has led to a decline in fertility rates, with the total fertility rate in Austria being 1.46 children per woman in 2015, which is below the replacement rate of 2.1. Similarly, the total fertility rate in Australia was 1.7 in 2021, below the replacement number of 2.1.

The reasons for delaying motherhood are multifaceted and vary among individuals. Some women may prioritize their careers and financial stability before starting a family, while others may face fertility issues or choose not to have children due to concerns about the environment and overpopulation. Additionally, social norms and gender roles can influence family planning decisions. For instance, traditional roles influenced by Roman Catholicism are still prevalent in Austrian society, and social norms regarding gender roles are quite conservative in German-speaking areas of Europe, including Austria.

The trend of having children at older ages has significant implications for fertility and reproductive health. Delayed parenthood increases the risk of sterility and the need for assisted reproductive technology (ART). It also raises questions about the impact on family structures and social support systems, especially in countries with low fertility rates.

Fertility is continuing to decrease across female birth cohorts

In Austria, the total fertility rate is 1.46 children per woman (as of 2015), which is below the replacement rate of 2.1. This indicates that Austrian women are having fewer children than the number required to maintain the population level.

Across the birth cohorts 1950-1979, an increasing proportion of Austrian women wanted to have children after the age of 40. However, the realization of these intentions decreased with age, and fewer women were able to have children as they approached their late 30s and early 40s. This trend is not unique to Austria and has been observed in other countries as well.

The delay in childbearing has led to an increase in the use of assisted reproduction technologies (ART). In Austria, the contribution of mothers aged 35 years and older to the total fertility rate is 22%, which is higher than the average for Western European countries. The use of ART has become more common, especially among women trying to conceive at advanced maternal ages.

The shift towards later fertility has resulted in a decrease in the overall fertility rates. While the number of births to younger women has declined, there has been an increase in births to older women. However, the increase in births to older women has not been sufficient to offset the decline in births to younger women, leading to an overall decrease in fertility rates.

Social and cultural factors also play a role in fertility decisions. In Austria, social norms regarding gender roles are quite conservative, and traditional roles influenced by Roman Catholicism are still prevalent. This may impact the timing of childbearing and contribute to the trend of declining fertility across female birth cohorts.

Childlessness is becoming more prevalent

In the developed world, one outcome of the COVID-19 pandemic is that people have become more willing to openly discuss the difficulties of parenting and to challenge the cultural assumptions about being child-free.

In the past, choosing not to have children was both difficult and socially undesirable, except for celibate individuals. The availability of reliable birth control, more opportunities for financial security (especially for women), better healthcare, and the ability to rely on one's savings have made childlessness a viable option, even if this choice might still be frowned upon by society at large.

In some modern societies, being child-free has become not just more tolerated but also more common. Various attempts by governments around the world to incentivize couples to have a child or to have more children have all failed, indicating that this is not a matter of economics but a cultural shift.

In Austria, the legal position of women has improved since the mid-1970s. The first attempts to improve political participation by women were made during the Revolution of 1848 by the Wiener Demokratischer Frauenverein, but the association was short-lived. The struggle for suffrage began anew with the formation of Allgemeiner Österreichischer Frauenverein in 1893. Women's suffrage was granted in 1919, after the breakdown of the Habsburg monarchy.

In recent years, new ways of living have emerged, with unmarried cohabitation increasing, as more young people are questioning traditional ways. In the European Values Study (EVS) of 2008, the percentage of Austrian respondents who agreed with the assertion that "Marriage is an outdated institution" was 30.5%, and as of 2012, 41.5% of children were born outside of marriage. The total fertility rate is 1.46 children/women (as of 2015), which is below the replacement rate of 2.1.

The number of children Austrian women have over their lifetime is decreasing

Austrian women are having fewer children over the course of their lifetimes. In 2015, Austrian women had 1.46 children per woman, which is below the replacement rate of 2.1. This is a continuation of a decades-long trend, with the total fertility rate in Austria remaining lower than the replacement rate since 1976.

There are several factors contributing to this decrease. Firstly, people are delaying parenthood. In 2012, 20% of women born in 1978 were childless, and this number is increasing. Additionally, the average age of mothers in Austria is increasing. In 1975, less than 20% of births were to mothers between 30 and 39 years old, but by 2022, nearly 60% of births were to mothers in this age group. This delay in childbirth means a higher risk of sterility and a greater need for assisted reproduction.

Another factor is the changing social norms and gender roles in Austrian society. While gender equality is a priority in Austria, traditional roles influenced by Roman Catholicism are still prevalent. Most women are employed, but many work part-time, and social norms regarding gender roles are quite conservative.

Furthermore, there is a growing trend of unmarried cohabitation, with more young people questioning traditional ways of living. The percentage of Austrian respondents who agreed that "marriage is an outdated institution" was 30.5% in 2008, and as of 2012, 41.5% of children were born outside of marriage.

These factors contribute to the decreasing number of children Austrian women are having over their lifetimes.

The chances of having a child at a later age remain low

While more Austrian women are delaying childbearing, the chances of having a child at later ages remain low. This is a trend that is observed across Europe, with more people having children during their late reproductive life. However, the chances of getting pregnant decrease with age.

The chances of having a child at an older age are low due to the decline in fertility that occurs with advancing age. This decline in fertility is influenced by a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors. For women, fertility starts to decrease in the mid-thirties, with a more significant drop after the age of 35. The number and quality of eggs decrease with age, resulting in a lower chance of pregnancy. By age 40, the chance of getting pregnant naturally each month drops to around 5%. Additionally, there is an increased risk of complications during pregnancy at older ages, such as preeclampsia and genetic disorders like Down syndrome.

For men, fertility starts to decline around the age of 40 to 45. This decrease is caused by a reduction in the number and quality of sperm they produce. However, men can still have children at older ages, albeit with a lower success rate.

The increasing trend of delaying childbearing has led to a rise in the use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) and alternative procedures such as egg donation. These methods can help individuals who wish to have children at advanced ages but may not be able to conceive naturally. However, the success rates of ART treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF) also decrease with age, especially when using a woman's own eggs. Freezing eggs at a younger age can improve the chances of a successful pregnancy later in life.

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