Different cohorts and different periods mean different fertility?

Abstract

Is fertility in Portugal different from the European context? Is this a particular situation, is only a transitory moment of postponement, or is a logical consequence from the socio and economical context? To understand the Portuguese (and European) context of fertility is important to comprehend the probable cause-effects that are now influencing fertility postponement and decline, both in period and in cohort, keeping in mind the deep impact of massive education and labour market participation of women. The overall objective of this study is to contribute to the fertility research by exploring in the last three decades the period and cohort dynamic of Southern European fertility, with special attention to the particular case of Portugal. Also the aim of this study is to investigate and explain the transitions to motherhood providing new insights between cohort fertility and educational attainment.