Recent fertility trends and second birth decision-making in Georgia

Nicoletta Balbo, University of Groningen

Since the Soviet Union's collapse, Georgia has undergone profound socio-political and demographic changes. This paper examines recent fertility trends in Georgia by using GGS data (2006). Results show that the postponement of first birth does not significantly account for the decline in childbearing, suggesting that decline is primarily due to a reduction of second-order births. I then investigate determinants of intentions to have a second child in three different periods: now, within three years and ever. Findings reveal that household income, education level and psychological well-being of the respondents as well as their satisfaction concerning the division of tasks within the couple have a significant effect on the second birth decision-making. However, these determinants differ significantly regarding the timing of the intended child. Rather, there seems to be no effect on fertility intentions of ideational changes, represented by a measure of the spread of post-materialist values within the society.