Gold Coast fertility: Which Gold Coast suburbs have the baby making mojo?
The latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show the Gold Coast’s fertility rate is at a decade low, but some suburbs are making up the difference. Do you live in the Coast’s most fertile suburbs?
Gold Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Gold Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
GOLD Coasters are shunning the stork to concentrate on their careers, education and financial security.
The latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show the city’s fertility rate of 1.67 babies for each woman in 2017 is one of the worst in Australia, below the national total fertility rate (TFR) of 1.74.
Australia’s sex and party capital rates among the worst in the state with only Brisbane, the Whitsundays, Winton and Noosa below it. The Queensland TFR is 1.82.
The Coast’s fertility rate, in the bottom 15 per cent nationally, has dropped 10 per cent since 2011 and demographers and health experts say there will not be enough young people to service traditional city sectors such as education, construction and retail if it is not addressed.
WARWICK CAPPER’S TIPS FOR MAKING MORE BABIES
Social researcher and demographer Mark McCrindle said Coast couples were more focused on their careers and building a nest egg, and the low fertility rate was further compounded by the city’s high over-60s population.
“The Gold Coast punches well above its weight in the over 65s and well below average in its under 10s which would contribute to fertility data,” he said.
“However, the age of the population isn’t the only contributing factor, as the Gold Coast is relatively young compared to areas with similar rates.
“We know birthrates drop when economic insecurity rises so house prices and job availability is a contributing factor.”
WHY HOSPITALS WANT LOCAL BABIES ONLY
In a suburb by suburb breakdown, Coomera, Highland Park, Pimpama and Ormeau all proved the most fertile regions with a TFR of two or more.
Surfers Paradise, Mermaid Beach and Broadbeach had the lowest rates.
Mr McCrindle said the statistics showed women were having less children due to starting later.
“You will see younger mothers and larger families in areas that are known to be culturally conservative and traditional,” he said.
Since 1976, the TFR for Australia has been below what is needed to replace the current population.
The TFR required for replacement is considered to be around 2.1 babies per woman to replace herself and her partner.
SUBSCRIBE TO THE GOLD COAST BULLETIN FOR JUST $5 A MONTH FOR THE FIRST THREE MONTHS
Mr McCrindle said the low fertility rate could impact on the growth and prosperity of the city.
“It is concerning, as you don’t have the generational diversity a large city needs to be prosperous. This is an issue we have seen in other regional cities with an ageing curve,” he said.
“The Gold Coast relies on a young work force in construction, retail and education, and while the workforce is supported by migrants in part, low fertility is a challenge.”
Dr Tina Fleming, the leading fertility specialist at Gold Coast Private Hospital, said Australia has more first-time mothers in their 30s than their 20s. “We are also seeing an increased number of mothers who are highly educated and we know couples in higher socio-economic range are more likely to delay child bearing to build a firm financial foundation.”
Dr Fleming said more young women were planing their fertility through individualised fertility testing.
“There are tests that can be done which do give an individual an understanding of their options into the future when it comes to child bearing,” she said.
Gold Coast Fertility Rate:
2011: 1.86
2012: 1.81
2013: 1.77
2014: 1.76
2015 : 1.74
2016: 1.71
2017: 1.67
Lowest Fertility Rates in Queensland 2017
Brisbane: 1.51
Winton: 1.60
Whitsundays: 1.61
Noosa: 1.66
Gold Coast: 1.67
Lowest Fertility Rates Nationally 2017
Adelaide: 0.75
Melbourne: 0.86
Perth: 0.88
Sydney: 0.97
Peppermint Grove (WA): 1.03
‘No apology’ for controversial development approvals
A defiant Meaghan Scanlon says she’s unapologetic for her controversial interventions into the Gold Coast housing market. FIND OUT WHY
Authorities quizzed on stiff penalties for crude vandals
Authorities have been pressed on what consequences await the vandals behind the shocking defacement of trees along Burleigh’s Oceanview track, which drew a larger-than-usual crowd on Sunday morning.