FERTILITY RATES



In 2012, Australia's total fertility rate (TFR) was 1.93 babies per woman, an increase from the 2011 TFR of 1.92 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 1.74 babies per woman in 2001 before increasing to a thirty-year high of 2.02 babies per woman in 2008.



Fertility rates increased slightly for women aged 20-24 years, 30-34 years, 35-39 years and 45-49 years between 2011 and 2012, and remained stable for all other age groups. Fertility rates remained highest for women aged 30-34 years, recording 127 babies per 1,000 women; an increase from 125 babies per 1,000 women in the previous year. At the national level, the teenage fertility rate remained stable between 2011 and 2012 with 16 babies per 1,000 women aged 15-19 years. For more information see data cube Table 1: Births, Summary, States and territories - 2002 to 2012.