BIRTH RATE AND POTENTIAL MEASURES TO IMPROVE IT

Abstract

Low birth rates resulting a natural decline in population and changes in its age structure, have a negative impact on the increasing shortage of labor resources in all areas of the national economy. At the same time, studies on family planning and family life values by a number of authors show that the main restraining factors of childbearing are social ones caused by a high demand for vocational education. Purpose: to assess dynamics in birth rate and factors affecting its level. Material and methods. According to the purpose of the study, 1985 parturient women were interviewed. The survey results were supplemented with data obtained through the analysis of medical documentation (individual card of the pregnant and puerperal No. 111/y). The study also used materials of the state statistics for the period 2013-2018. The following indicators were calculated: general and age-specific fertility rates, as well as special (F) and total fertility rates (Fsum). Results. The study results show that changes in the age structure of women of the fertile age and decreased age-specific fertility rates have a greater impact on indicators of the total and overall fertility rates than increase in the number of women of reproductive age. A high share of firstborn children (57.5%) born to women aged over 25 indicates a postponement of childbearing to a later age and increase in the average age of primiparous. A high share of primiparous and first-time pregnant women (88.6% and 81.3%, respectively) with higher-than-secondary education in the overall structure of puerperal suggests influence of education on the decision to postpone childbearing. Conclusion. The postponement of childbearing is influenced by a complex of factors, mainly of a socio-economic nature, as evidenced by the sociological survey of puerperal. Development of appropriate socio-economic conditions during the period of education and formation of a young family, will contribute to changes in the fertility age pattern, which is confirmed by the analysis of the responses and suggestions received from the survey respondents.