NUMBER OF CHILDREN EVER BORN
DIRECTIONS FOR 2011 CENSUS
Some interest has been shown in the inclusion of a question on number of children ever born in the 2011 Census and each subsequent Census, rather than retaining the 10 year cycle for the topic. Refinement of the question over time and increased awareness of the purpose and use of this data have diminished some of the factors which led to the cyclic nature of the question.
However, inclusion of this question in the 2011 Census needs to be considered in terms of its priority in relation to other topics.
Unless the ABS can be convinced that there is sufficient justification for a review of the 10 year cycle for the topic, it is the ABS view that a question on the number of children ever born be excluded from the 2011 Census.
JUSTIFICATION
Census data on this topic is used to formulate population projections for Australia and its communities, and population estimates for small population groups such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and migrants. Given the focus on Australia's demographic future with an ageing population and a total fertility rate currently below the level required to replace each generation, reliable data on these issues is important for government policy and program development.
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
A question on the number of children ever born was asked in nearly all Australian Censuses up to and including 1986. After the 1986 Census, it was determined that data on this topic were not needed every five years, and subsequently the question was not included in the 1991 and 2001 Censuses, but was asked in the 1996 Census. The 2006 Census was the most recent to include the question, which is scheduled to be asked again in the 2016 Census.
Data is not collected for females under 15 years due to the low prevalence of births occurring in this age range.
COMMENTS
The term 'fertility' is commonly used to refer to the capacity to, or the occurrence of conceiving and becoming pregnant. However, the Census aims to provide a measure of 'demographic fertility', which is related to the number of live born babies each woman has had during her life to the Census date.
The ABS recognises the importance of obtaining accurate data on the total number of babies born to each female, whether live or stillborn. However, as Australia has such good quality death registration statistics and particularly perinatal statistics, it is not necessary to include a question on the Census on the number of stillborn babies. The ABS reports the number of stillbirths annually based on perinatal death certificates and birth registrations lodged with the State and Territory Registrars of Births, Deaths and Marriages. This data is available in Causes of Death, Australia (cat. no. 3303.0).
Data is also available through the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare's (AIHW's) National Perinatal Statistics Unit and published in the annual report Australia's Mothers and Babies. In addition, there are a range of specific surveys on women's health, family formation and history and related topics.
The ABS has assessed that together, these data are ample for monitoring trends in stillbirths and perinatal deaths without including an additional question on the Census.
USER REQUIREMENTS
Data on the number of children ever born are required for:
- investigations of lifetime fertility levels and differentials across various populations groups such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, migrants, people in different socioeconomic situations, and birth year cohorts for all Australian women
- measurement of lifetime childlessness among women
- aged care and a range of social planning, along with other Census questions
- investigation of age related trends.
In conjunction with birth registration information, number of children ever born data provide information for:
- prediction of likely future fertility trends
- the formulation of population projections for Australia and regions of Australia
- a wide range of community decision-making and planning.
AVAILABILITY OF NON-CENSUS DATA
Some information on the number of children ever born was collected in the 1992 Survey of Families in Australia. More recent survey information for women of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin is available through the
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey 2004-05 (cat. no. 4715.0).
However, these surveys do not provide data for small areas, small population groups (available through the Census), or for single year ages of women.
Birth registration data provide some information on births in specific years, and potentially births to a woman from current or all relationships, but not with the range of characteristics available from the Census.
OTHER POSSIBLE CHANGES FOR 2011
The ABS will be further refining and testing the question wording in the lead up to the 2011 Census.
2006 CENSUS QUESTION
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