Two common trends, two distinct trendsetters: fertility and nuptiality postponement and non-marital childbearing in the Czech Republic

Kryštof Zeman, Vienna Institute of Demography

The transition of fertility and nuptiality in the Czech Republic in last two decades was not uniform but rather dependent on the social status measured by educational level of women. Wide differences between educational categories in terms of the changes in level and timing of childbirth and marriage were found using the techniques of fertility and nuptiality life tables. Two different types of “trendsetters” were identified in the Czech society. The trendsetters of non-marital fertility are women with primary education, who keep bearing children in their early 20s, but do that mostly outside marriage. The trendsetters of fertility postponement are highly educated women, who postpone their fertility onset until their 30s, and they tend to conceive their children traditionally inside marriage. There is no general explanation of the transitional fertility and nuptiality behaviour, as women of different socio-economic status are reacting differently to the social and economic changes.