Where have all the children gone? Quebec's fertility decline: 1941-1991

Abstract

The province of Quebec, historically known for its unusually high reproductive levels, has in the past few decades experienced a spectacular fertility decline. This more or less abrupt decline in fertility has corresponded with the socioeconomic transformation of this French-speaking province into a modern society. This paper presents a path analysis of period structural factors on fertility change in Quebec from 1941 to 1991. The results are interpreted in the context of Quebec’s family policies and assess whether government can or should attempt to increase fertility levels in Quebec.