Spatio-temporal trends of fertility decline in Newfoundland, 1966-1981

Abstract

Age-specific fertility rates are not available for Newfoundland because the birth registration record does not include the age of the mother. However, age-specific fertility rates can be estimated from the administrative records of the hospital. This study estimates age-specific fertility rates and a number of derivative indexes from hospital records for prescribed areas on the island for the census years 1966 through 1981. The findings of this study reveal a large degree of spatial variation in fertility in 1966. The subsequent fifteen years are a period of extensive decline in fertility as rates converge toward a much lower family size norm. The spatio-temporal patterns of fertility decline reveal that Catholicism has presented a formidable barrier to the adoption of family limitation. The findings also reveal very significant spatial differences in teenage fertility rates and marriage patterns based on religion and the urban-rural distinction.