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Educational Gradient of Multi-partner Fertility: First Estimates for the UK

Author

Listed:
  • Sebastian Stannard

    (University of Southampton
    University of Southampton
    University of Southampton)

  • Ann Berrington

    (University of Southampton
    University of Southampton)

  • Nisreen A. Alwan

    (University of Southampton
    NHS Foundation Trust)

Abstract

Recent demographic changes in Western countries have resulted in higher rates of partnership dissolution and serial partnering, and an increase in childbearing across multiple partnerships. This has given rise to more complex family dynamics including multi-partner fertility (MPF), defined as having biological children with two or more partners. Yet estimates of MPF in the UK have not previously been available. This paper describes an ‘indirect approach’ to estimate the prevalence of MPF in the UK, for men and women, given different assumptions. The paper additionally explores differences in MPF according to own and parental educational attainment. Amongst those born in Britain in 1970, 12–14% of men and 15–18% of women experienced MPF by age 42, depending on the assumptions made. For most of the cohort, MPF occurred with two different coresidential partners. We have established that MPF is a common family formation in the UK, but there are large educational disparities in MPF prevalence.

Suggested Citation

  • Sebastian Stannard & Ann Berrington & Nisreen A. Alwan, 2024. "Educational Gradient of Multi-partner Fertility: First Estimates for the UK," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 40(1), pages 1-22, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:eurpop:v:40:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1007_s10680-024-09708-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s10680-024-09708-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

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