FERTILITY RATES


In 2011, Australia's total fertility rate (TFR) was 1.88 babies per woman, down very slightly from the 2010 TFR of 1.89 babies per woman. Since 1976, the total fertility rate for Australia has been below replacement level. That is, the average number of babies born to a woman throughout her reproductive life (measured by the TFR) has been insufficient to replace herself and her partner. The TFR required for replacement is currently considered to be around 2.1 babies per woman. The TFR reached a low of 1.73 babies per woman in 2001 before increasing to a thirty-year high of 1.96 babies per woman in 2008.


Fertility rates decreased slightly for women aged 20–24 years, 30–34 years and 35–39 years between 2010 and 2011, and increased for all other age groups. Fertility rates remained highest for women aged 30–34 years, recording 122 babies per 1,000 women; a very slight decrease from 123 babies per 1,000 women in the previous year. At the national level, the teenage fertility rate was 16 babies per 1,000 women aged 15–19 years in 2011. For more information see data cube Table 1: Births, Summary, States and territories - 2001 to 2011.