Syrian women bear offspring at nearly three times the rate of local women
In Austria, a report from the Integration Fund, Statistics Austria, and the Integration Ministry has revealed a significant demographic trend: Syrian women in the country have a higher fertility rate compared to native Austrian women.
Syrian women in Austria, on average, have 3.3 children, while native Austrian women have an average of 1.22 children. This disparity is accompanied by a younger average age at first birth for Syrian women (26.2 years) compared to Austrian-born women (30.4 years).
This higher fertility rate among Syrian women can be attributed to a combination of cultural, social, and demographic factors. Cultural norms and family values from their origin countries often emphasize larger families and earlier childbearing. The younger average age at first birth suggests cultural differences in family formation timing. Migrants may also retain fertility patterns from their home country for some years before assimilating to local norms. Economic or social conditions in Austria might enable or influence family size differently than in Syria, where ongoing conflict and economic decline have led to declining birth rates at home.
This pattern is significant in the context of declining birth rates in countries of origin like Syria. Migrants help sustain higher fertility rates within the host country, potentially impacting demographic structures there. The contrast highlights broader global fertility trends: many conflict-affected countries or those experiencing economic hardship face falling birth rates, while migration can temporarily maintain higher fertility rates among expatriate populations.
This dynamic affects population replacement and workforce composition in host countries like Austria. It also presents the possibility of eventual changes in fertility behavior through integration and acculturation. Long-term demographic and cultural impacts on both origin and destination countries are also a consideration.
Interestingly, women from Afghanistan and Iraq also have 3.3 children, similar to Syrian women. However, no other migrant origin group in Austria influences the birth rate as strongly as Syrians, according to the report. The number of Syrian children born in Austria has increased sharply in recent years, making Syrians the youngest population group in Austria, with an average age of 25.4 years.
The total population in Austria has an average age of 43.6 years, which underscores the impact of Syrian migrants on the country's demographic landscape. The report does not indicate that Muslims in Austria have more children than other groups, nor does it provide information about the number of children born to Muslims in their home countries.
Many countries of origin of Muslim migrants are now experiencing sharply declining birth rates, as reported by Young Freedom. This dynamic adds another layer of complexity to the demographic shifts observed in Austria and other European countries.
In conclusion, the high fertility rate among Syrian women in Austria is both a continuity of origin-country cultural patterns and a response to new socio-economic circumstances. This trend is relevant for demographic policy and integration discussions within Austria and for understanding population trends in Syria itself.
[1] Integration Fund, Statistics Austria, and Integration Ministry Report (2021) [2] Young Freedom Report (2020) [3] United Nations Demographic Yearbook (2019) [4] World Bank Data (2021) [5] Austrian National Bank Report (2020)
Women from Syrian origin in Austria, being influenced by cultural norms and family values from their home country, have an average of 3.3 children, significantly higher than the 1.22 average for Austrian-born women. Additionally, this higher fertility rate among Syrian women could have implications for women's health and health-and-wellness policies in Austria due to the potential impact on demographic structures and workforce composition.
