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The Decline of Spanish Fertility: The Role of Religion

Author

Listed:
  • Ryohei Mogi

    (University of Southern Denmark)

  • Albert Esteve

    (CERCA
    Universitat Pompeu Fabra)

  • Vegard F. Skirbekk

    (Columbia University and Oslo University)

Abstract

The Spanish total fertility rate declined from 2.8 to below 1.4 children per woman from 1975 to 2020. Spain is categorized as a “lowest-low fertility” country. Although there have been many attempts to explain the Spanish fertility decline, there has been an insufficient focus been given to religion. This brief report aims to analyse how religious affiliation, particularly being Catholics, associates with fertility behaviours—entering parenthood and the total number of children. Using three nationally representative surveys, we show that, compared with the religiously non-affiliated, Catholic women have a higher likelihood of entering parenthood after controlling for demographic, union status and educational characteristics. After controlling for changes in education and union formation, changes in religious affiliation account for approximately 4% of the cohort variation in the age at first birth, but there is no significant contribution for men nor to the total number of children for both sexes

Suggested Citation

  • Ryohei Mogi & Albert Esteve & Vegard F. Skirbekk, 2022. "The Decline of Spanish Fertility: The Role of Religion," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 38(5), pages 1333-1346, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:eurpop:v:38:y:2022:i:5:d:10.1007_s10680-022-09644-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s10680-022-09644-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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