By: Staff Writer
August 25, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka is now having far fewer children than it did a generation ago. The latest Population and Housing Census shows that the total fertility rate has fallen to 1.3 children per woman.
The decline has been steady. The fertility rate was 3.3 in 1981 and 2.4 in 2012. It has now fallen well below the replacement level of about 2.1.
The figures also show that this is not happening at the same rate everywhere.Colombo has the lowest fertility rate, at 1.0. Gampaha follows at 1.1. Galle, Kalutara and Ratnapura record 1.2. In contrast, Trincomalee, Ampara, Batticaloa and Mannar record 1.7.
The difference between districts is important. It suggests that the reasons for having fewer children are linked to the way people live, work and form families.
Urban areas have the lowest fertility rate at 1.2. The rate is 1.3 in rural areas and 1.6 in the estate sector.
Education also shows a difference. Married women with A/L qualifications or higher have a fertility rate of 1.2. Among those who studied up to Grades 6 to 10, the rate is 1.6.
These figures do not mean that education is the cause of low fertility. They show that fertility has changed as the social and economic circumstances of families have changed.Young people today also face different conditions from their parents.
Marriage is taking place later. Young men and women spend more years in education. Many enter permanent employment later. In towns and cities, housing costs are high. Families also face higher costs for childcare, transport, healthcare and education.
For women, having children can also affect employment. A mother who cannot find affordable childcare may have to reduce her working hours or leave her job.These factors deserve closer study before the Government decides what should be done.
There is little value in offering a small payment for every new baby if young couples cannot afford a house, childcare or a stable family income.
The Government should first find out what young couples themselves say is preventing them from having more children.
Some may want two or three children but believe they cannot afford them. Others may prefer a smaller family. Some may be postponing marriage. Others may have left the country.These are different problems and cannot be solved by one policy.
The Census has provided the evidence that fertility has fallen sharply. It has also shown where the decline is greatest and how fertility differs according to residence and education.The next step should be a proper study of the reasons behind those differences.
Sri Lanka should not try to force people to have larger families.It should make it easier for those who want children to raise them without losing their jobs, their income or their financial security.
That requires action on housing, childcare, employment and family support.The fall to 1.3 should therefore be treated not simply as a population figure, but as a question about how young Sri Lankans are able to build their lives.