The point of departure for the project is the observed decline in fertility rates in Norway and other Nordic countries since 2010. In Norway, the total fertility rate (TFR) has fallen continuously from 1.98 in 2009 to a historic low of 1.62 in 2017. A similar trend is observed in other Nordic countries and different European societies. The primary objectives of the project are: (1) to identify causes behind the recent decline in fertility in Norway in comparison with the Nordic countries and other European countries; (2) to analyse which social groups face barriers to family formation and fertility in different contexts.
To achieve these research goals, the project will undertake four subprojects. The first subproject focuses on the fertility decline in the Nordic countries. Analyses will be based on comparable register data from these countries, allowing us to examine links between individual characteristics and regional contexts for the childbearing decisions of men and women. The second consists of in-depth analyses of register data in Norway. We ask to which degree the recent decline in fertility may be related to postponed union formation and regional variations across Norway. In the third subproject we investigate the link between perceived insecurity, labour market attachment and fertility. In the fourth subproject we compare Norway with other European societies that have already experienced a strong decline in fertility and investigate the relevance of changing age norms and family values for this development.
