Below Replacement Fertility among Indigenous Australians: Course, Causes and Regional Variations

The shift to below-replacement fertility has become a major concern for Australia. Recent research suggests that Indigenous fertility is moving in the same direction, but questions remain regarding precise levels, regional variations and underlying causes. Using quantitative and qualitative techniques, this project will provide reliable estimates of fertility, establish their underlying causes, and consider their implications for Indigenous social and economic futures. The research outcome will benefit Australia by improving Indigenous population projection and injecting the experience of Indigenous people into current debates about the social and economic consequences of low fertility and ageing.