Quebec’s fertility rate continued to decline last year, led by a drop in the number of younger women who are choosing to have children.
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The province’s statistics institute says 83,900 babies were born in the province in 2017, which is 2,500 fewer than the previous year and a three per cent drop.
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The fertility rate declined to 1.54 children per woman from 1.59 a year prior.
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In a report published Wednesday, the institute said the number of births in the province has declined each year since 2012, when 88,900 were recorded.
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The fertility rate remained above 1.6 children per woman between 2006 and 2015, peaking above 1.7 in 2008 and 2009.
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The lowest numbers were recorded in the early 2000s, when the rate dipped below 1.5.
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The report shows the current decline is linked to a lower fertility rate among women under the age of 30.
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There was also a slight decrease in the rate among women over the age of 30, which until recently had been increasing.
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