Harmony boosts birthrate
TOWNSVILLE women are doing their bit to keep Australia’s population steady.
While our birthrate has fallen, local mothers are having more babies than their capital city counterparts.
Analysis of national fertility data reveals 15,463 infants were born here in the five years to the end of 2017.
Townsville’s birthrate equates to two children per woman compared with 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.
Townsville’s birthrate is slightly less than this figure.
Meghan Maggiora helped add to Townville’s birthrate this week after her second child Harmony was born at Townsville Hospital on Thursday.
Ms Maggiora said she was not surprised the average birthrate in Australia was about two.
“I think life is just built for one or two kids really,” Ms Maggiora said yesterday.
Australian Population Association president Ann Evans said migrant numbers, age and the education, employment, housing and in- come 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 dis- posed to have kids,” said Dr Evans, who is also the Australian National University School of Demography associate professor.
“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.”
Townsville Hospital and Health Service Nursing and Midwifery executive director Judy Morton said the organisation was focused on ensuring local women had access to the best care.
“We are continuing to refine and improve our service through continuity of care midwifery models of care including services that deliver continuity of care by providing women with a dedicated midwife during pregnancy, birth and after birth,” Ms Morton said.
A Queensland Health spokesperson said women should be supported in their choices about giving birth.