Australia experiences new baby boom

Published: 8:52PM Friday May 09, 2008 Source: AAP

• Email this article
• Print this article
• Text size + -
• Share on Twitter
• Share on Facebook

More Australian babies were born in 2006 than in any other year during the past three decades, new data shows.
  
Ahead of Mother's Day, the nation's statistician says that women can now expect to have 1.8 children during their lifetime, the highest number in 10 years.
  
There were 265,900 births registered in 2006 - the highest number in 30 years - the Australian Bureau of Statistics said.
  
The Australian government has in recent years tried to encourage a higher birth rate to combat the ageing of the population.
  
Former treasurer Peter Costello urged families during one famous budget news conference to have "one for mum, one for dad and one for the country".
  
The new data also reveals 63% of mothers, with children under 15 years, were employed in March 2008, compared to 54% a decade ago.
  
As the number of mothers employed increased, so too did the use of formal child care.
  
The percentage of children under the age of 12 years attending formal care increased from 14% in 1996, to 23% in 2005.
  
In the same year, 44% of employed mothers with children under two had jobs with flexible hours, 39% were permanent part-time workers, while 27% worked from home.
  
More than two-thirds (67%) of mothers in a relationship with a child under 15 said they "always or often felt rushed or pressed for time" compared to 61% of single mothers in the same category.

• Email this article
• Print this article
• Text size + -
• more...
• Share on Twitter
• Share on Facebook

Health News Video

• Opposition to maternity cuts grows (1:54) 
• Smiling no matter what (13:33) 
• Wanganui hospital suffers maternity staff shortage (1:55) 

Health & Lifestyle News

• Wanganui Hospital plans cuts to maternity services watch
• opinion Jack Tame: The test
• HIV infected are going undiagnosed - research watch
• Toxic algae warning on Hurunui River
• NZ acne drug to be sold in America
• Magic mushrooms studied for depression treatment
• Aussie kids risk spinal damage from schoolbags

Most Popular

1. Engineer calls for Williamson's resignation watch
2. Dog bites TV presenter live on air watch
3. Investigation after sweet treat turns sour watch
4. Marines claim 'ignorance' after posing with Nazi symbol
5. Endangered sea lion shot on Otago Peninsula

rssLatest News

• 21:30 New Zealand struggling in Davis Cup clash
• 21:17 Brazilian oil giant appoints female president
• 21:07 Lakers down Celtics in overtime
• 21:06 Engineer calls for Williamson's resignation watch
• 20:51 Man approaching children sparks police warning

Advertising