How women are growing population
TOOWOOMBA women are doing their bit to keep Australia’s population booming.
While our birthrate has fallen, local mothers are having more babies than their capital city counterparts.
Analysis of national fertility data reveals 15,165 infants were born across Toowoomba and Warwick in the five years to the end of 2015.
Toowoomba’s birthrate equates to 2.2 children per woman compared to 1.8 babies for each adult female in Brisbane.
The state and national averages are 1.9.
Demographers say to ensure there is a person to replace the mother and father and to grow Australia’s population, each couple should have 2.1 children.
Toowoomba is slightly higher than this figure.
Australian Population Association president Ann Evans said migrant numbers, age and the education, employment, housing and income status of residents impacted birthrates.
“The fertility rate is higher in regional areas because the type of people who live in those areas are more disposed to have kids,” the Australian National University School of Demography associate professor said.
“The age structure can have a major impact – for example if there are lots of older people the birthrate will be low.
“Capital cities also have higher levels of migrants who often have less children than those born in Australia.
“Women who are well educated may also have less children and most of these people will be in cities where the jobs are.”
Toowoomba Hospital executive director Shirley-Anne Gardiner said the hospital constantly reviewed birth data to ensure it was able to meet demand for maternity services.
“The innovative maternity model of care enables expectant women to see the same student midwife, along with a fully credentialed midwife, during their pregnancy, labour, birth and transition to motherhood,” she said.
“This model of care is in addition to the hospital’s Midwifery Group Practice program which also offers continuity of care.”
A Queensland Health spokesperson said women should be supported in their choices to have or not have children.
‘‘ THE AGE STRUCTURE CAN HAVE A MAJOR IMPACT – FOR EXAMPLE IF THERE ARE LOTS OF OLDER PEOPLE THE BIRTHRATE WILL BE LOW.
AUSTRALIAN POPULATION ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT ANN EVANS