Beginning of the Fertility Transition in Mexico. Progeny of Women Born in the First Half of the Twentieth Century

In analyzing the fertility patterns of Mexican women born 1900-1950, the generations responsible for rises & falls in the birthrate were identified through birthrate curves, using census data & surveys of fertility conducted 1976, 1982, & 1987. Fertility was highest in the 1927-1931 generation, reflecting improvements in living conditions & health 1940-1960, but it is also possible that reporting changes in the census accounted for some of this increase. After the 1931 cohort, fertlity rates declined. Since official family planning did not actually begin until the 1945-1950 cohort of women had had on average two children, these results show that the transition in fertility rates predated family planning programs. A state-by-state analysis also shows that declines in fertility rates in the northern states (both rural & urban areas) & Mexico City preceded declines in other areas of Mexico. Thus, prior suppositions that the transition in fertility rates in Mexico was late in comparison to other countries can not be substantiated. 3 Tables, 2 Figures, 1 Map, 18 References. Adapted from the source document.