Криза рађања у Србији: новији увиди
Childbearing Crisis in Serbia: More Recent Insights

Author(s): Mirjana Rašević
Subject(s): Demography and human biology, Migration Studies, Sociology of Politics
Published by: Институт друштвених наука
Keywords: low fertility; postponement of parenthood; population policy; Serbia
Summary/Abstract: Serbia is facing a multitude of serious population-related challenges. The principal challenge is the fact that childbearing is far below the replacement level. The objective of this paper is to consider the childbearing crisis in Serbia from a long-term perspective and to attempt to discuss the completed fertility trends in the near future based on the selected micro, meso and macro factors influencing the low fertility levels. To that end, it considers more recent research results that are important for understanding low fertility in Serbia. In addition to the 2011 Population Census data, the paper has also examined the findings of a series of quantitative or qualitative research studies, with various target groups, which directly or indirectly relate to the causes of below-replacement fertility and the postponement of parenthood in Serbia. The trend of the average number of live births to women who were past the reproductive age in 2011, considered by age cohorts, indicates an early appearance of the phenomenon of below-replacement fertility in Serbia and a long period in which the number of live births per woman was stable at the value of 1.8 Although younger cohorts still have a chance of participating in reproduction, the identified markedly lower average number of live births by women aged between 36 and 40 compared to women aged 41 and over in 2011 raises doubts whether the completed fertility in Serbia will remain stable or if it will actually decline below the 1.8 mark. Especially considering that the postponement of childbearing is widespread and has intensified among women between 20 and 34 years of age. Other than the factors arising from the longstanding economic and social crisis in Serbia, the phenomenon of below-replacement fertility, including the postponement of childbearing, can also be explained by a deep transformation of the society following the pattern of the changes that started earlier in the developed European countries, which resulted in low fertility. The pursuit of motherhood in Serbia is hindered by behaviours that are hazardous to reproductive health. Below- replacement fertility is also influenced by a smaller population of women in the fertility age, especially in the optimum fertility age, which consequently becomes a major cause of the childbearing crisis in Serbia. The childbearing crisis is also exacerbated by the continual emigration from Serbia, most notably of young people. Research results have shown that the emigration potential of our society is still great. At the same time, there is no comprehensive response of the state to the demographic challenges. In addition to the improvement of overall social conditions, the policy response to low fertility should be continual, comprehensive and research- based. The findings on the non- participation of younger age cohorts of women in reproduction indicate to decision-makers that it is vital to make efforts to mitigate the barriers to bearing and raising one’s first child during the optimum period. To that end, it is essential to reduce not only the economic, but also the social and psychological cost of parenthood through support to modern forms of union between women and men and assistance in reconciling family and work, as well as childbearing and education. At the same time it is important to promote the modern family planning concept with a view to preserving reproductive health. The implementation of the above lines of action would also encourage the decision to give birth to the second and/ or third child in a family.

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