Qualified South African women are putting off having children until they are established in their careers and married – contributing to an increase in childlessness in the country.
Employed women are more likely to be childless while unemployed women are least likely to be childless – a worrying fact for a government battling to fund poverty eradication through social grants.
Teachers are more likely to have children than other professionals‚ while female managers in urban centres are increasingly not having children.
The findings are contained in a new report by Statistics South Africa‚ titled “Exploring childlessness and delayed childbearing in South Africa‚ 2002-2011”‚ based on the latest Census data.
“The results of this study indicate that amongst all women of childbearing age (15-49 years)‚ childlessness continues to increase over time‚” Stats SA said.
Childlessness is more apparent among managers and professional women whilst the lowest prevalence of childlessness is found among women employed in elementary occupations‚ the report stated.
“Childlessness is pronounced among employed qualified women aged 20–49… Amongst both unqualified and qualified women‚ childlessness is more prevalent amongst women who are employed in the financial intermediation‚ insurance‚ and business industries.
“….The lowest prevalence of childlessness is noticeable among women in the field of education and development.”
The study also explored socio-economic differences among qualified women who had children and qualified women who never had children. It found the highest proportion of qualified women who had children is apparent among women aged 30–34 and 35–39. Conversely‚ the proportion of qualified women who are childless is higher at earlier age groups (20–24 and 25–29).
Across marital status‚ the highest proportion of qualified women with children (64‚3%) are married‚ while the majority of qualified childless women (63‚8%) have never been married.
Statistics on the number of women who are childless at the end of the reproductive age group (45–49) were assessed to give an indication of lifetime childlessness in the country.
Stats SA said: “Over time‚ cumulative fertility rates among women aged 45–49 declined whilst childlessness increased. White women aged 45–49 have the highest level of childlessness and lowest completed fertility rates while black/African and coloured women have the highest cumulative fertility rates and low levels of
childlessness.”
Stats SA noted that fertility in South Africa is one of the lowest in sub-Saharan Africa.
According to the 1996 Census‚ the total fertility rate in South Africa was estimated between 3‚2 and 3‚5 children per woman‚ and 2‚8 in 2001. By 2011‚ it was estimated to be at 2‚7.
Fertility postponement and increased childlessness are known contributors to overall fertility decline‚ it noted.
Find the full report here:
Fewer career women are having children
Employed women are more likely to be childless while unemployed women are least likely to be childless – a worrying fact for a government battling to fund poverty eradication through social grants.
Teachers are more likely to have children than other professionals‚ while female managers in urban centres are increasingly not having children.
The findings are contained in a new report by Statistics South Africa‚ titled “Exploring childlessness and delayed childbearing in South Africa‚ 2002-2011”‚ based on the latest Census data.
“The results of this study indicate that amongst all women of childbearing age (15-49 years)‚ childlessness continues to increase over time‚” Stats SA said.
Childlessness is more apparent among managers and professional women whilst the lowest prevalence of childlessness is found among women employed in elementary occupations‚ the report stated.
“Childlessness is pronounced among employed qualified women aged 20–49… Amongst both unqualified and qualified women‚ childlessness is more prevalent amongst women who are employed in the financial intermediation‚ insurance‚ and business industries.
“….The lowest prevalence of childlessness is noticeable among women in the field of education and development.”
The study also explored socio-economic differences among qualified women who had children and qualified women who never had children. It found the highest proportion of qualified women who had children is apparent among women aged 30–34 and 35–39. Conversely‚ the proportion of qualified women who are childless is higher at earlier age groups (20–24 and 25–29).
Across marital status‚ the highest proportion of qualified women with children (64‚3%) are married‚ while the majority of qualified childless women (63‚8%) have never been married.
Statistics on the number of women who are childless at the end of the reproductive age group (45–49) were assessed to give an indication of lifetime childlessness in the country.
Stats SA said: “Over time‚ cumulative fertility rates among women aged 45–49 declined whilst childlessness increased. White women aged 45–49 have the highest level of childlessness and lowest completed fertility rates while black/African and coloured women have the highest cumulative fertility rates and low levels of
childlessness.”
Stats SA noted that fertility in South Africa is one of the lowest in sub-Saharan Africa.
According to the 1996 Census‚ the total fertility rate in South Africa was estimated between 3‚2 and 3‚5 children per woman‚ and 2‚8 in 2001. By 2011‚ it was estimated to be at 2‚7.
Fertility postponement and increased childlessness are known contributors to overall fertility decline‚ it noted.
Find the full report here:
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