Modelling regional variation of first-time births in Denmark 1980-1994 by an age-period-cohort model

Despite the small size of Denmark, there have traditionally been rather consistent regional differences in fertility rates. We apply the statistical age-period-cohort model to include the effect of these three time-related factors thereby concisely illuminating the regional differences of first-time births in Denmark. From the Fertility of Women and Couples Dataset we obtain data on number of births by nulliparous women by year (1980-1994), age (15-45) and county of residence. We show that the APC-model describes the fertility rates of nulliparous women satisfactorily. To catch the regional variation an interaction parameter between age and county is necessary, which provides a surprisingly good description suggesting that the county-specific age-distributions of first-time fertility rates differ. Our results are in general agreement with the 'moral geography' concepts of Tonboe (2001).age-period-cohort models, Denmark, fertility, fertility rate, nulliparous women, regional variation

The Fertility Pattern of Twins and the General Population Compared: Evidence from Danish Cohorts 1945-64

Twin studies provide an important possibility for demographers to analyze patterns of heritability and to estimate structural models with controls for endowments. These possibilities are increasingly used in the context of fertility and related behaviors. A close congruence between the fertility patterns of twins and that of the general population, however, is an essential pre-condition in order to generalize the results of twin-based investigations of fertility and related behaviors to the general population. In this paper we therefore compare the fertility of Danish twins born 1945--64 to the fertility pattern of the general population born during the same period. Our analyses find a very close correspondence between the fertility pattern of twins and of the general population. There exist only few statistically significant differences, and the primary difference pertains to the fact that female twins have a slightly later onset of childbearing than non-twins. There are virtually no relevant differences between the fertility patterns of dizygotic and monozygotic twins.cohort fertility, Denmark, fertility, twin studies

Education and second birth rates in Denmark 1981-1994

A high educational attainment is shown to have a positive effect on second birth rates for Danish one-child mothers during the period 1981-94. We examine whether a time-squeeze is a possible explanation: due to the longer enrolment in the educational system, highly educated women have less time at their disposal in order to get the desired number of children. Also, we examine to what extent the partner's education can explain some of the positive effect. We find no evidence that the positive effect of education is due to either a time-squeeze nor to a partner effect.birth rate, Denmark, education, fertility, partner effect, time-squeeze

Om relationen mellem provokeret abort og familiedannelse

The relationship between induced abortion and family formation. This article examines the relationship between induced abortion and family formation. It argues that the exis-tence of the possibility of induced abortion has contribut-ed to making family formation an issue of choice. The article examines the development of induced abortion in Denmark and makes certain comparisons with other European countries. The Danish legislation on induced abortion (within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy) was based on medical social and feminist arguments. Abortion was viewed as an alternative to other forms of prevention. In the 1990’s the arguments have changed; now induced abortion is to be considered the final resort after other forms of prevention failed. And too from previously viewing induced abortion in terms of women’s health or family wel-fare, the arguments now argue that abortion is a (potential) killing of a child and therefore should be avoid-ed. Since the Danish law went into effect in 1975, both the abortion rate and the absolute number of induced abor-tions has fallen. Danish statistics indicate that abortion and fertility development are not complementary, both fell until 1983, and since then the abortion rate has remained stable while the fertility rate has increased. European figures indicate that countries with a high age at birth of the first child, have a low rate of induced abortion, and that it is not just access to induced abortion that makes a low fertility level possible. Late family formation is not related to a high rate of abortion

Rates of induced abortion in Denmark according to age, previous births and previous abortions

Background: Whereas the effects of various socio-demographic determinants on a woman’s risk of having an abortion are relatively well-documented, less attention has been given to the effect of previous abortions and births. Objective: To study the effect of previous abortions and births on Danish women’s risk of an abortion, in addition to a number of demographic and personal characteristics. Data and methods: From the Fertility of Women and Couples Dataset we obtained data on the number of live births and induced abortions by year (1981-2001), age (16-39), county of residence and marital status. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the influence of the explanatory variables on the probability of having an abortion in a relevant year. Main findings and conclusion: A woman’s risk of having an abortion increases with the number of previous births and previous abortions. Some interactions were was found in the way a woman’s risk of abortion varies with calendar year, age and parity. The risk of an abortion for women with no children decreases while the risk of an abortion for women with children increases over time. Furthermore, the risk of an abortion decreases with age, but relatively more so for women with children compared to childless women. Trends for teenagers are discussed in a separate section.abortion parity, abortion rates, family situation, fertility parity, urbanization