• Vienna Institute of Demography (Ed.) - Éva Beaujouan - Marie-Caroline Compans - Alice Goisis - Jasmin Passet-Wittig (Guest Eds.)

Vienna Yearbook of Population Research 2026

Special issue: Delayed reproduction

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The Vienna Yearbook of Population Research is an open access journal that features contributions addressing population trends as well as a broad range of theoretical and methodological issues in population research. Besides Research articles and Review articles, the journal includes Data and Trends contributions, which analyse changes in population dynamics or present databases and data infrastructure. It also features Perspectives articles, which focus on ideas, concepts or theories, as well as invited Debates reflecting on selected questions and issues. Since 2008, the volumes have been devoted to selected themes following special calls for thematic issues.

The 2026 volume of the Vienna Yearbook of Population Research brings together a diverse set of contributions examining delayed reproduction as a defining feature of contemporary demographic change. The papers explore how later transitions to parenthood reshape reproductive trajectories, fertility intentions and birth outcomes for individuals and societies. Particular emphasis is placed on heterogeneities and inequalities by educational background, migration status, and place of residence. Using both quantitative and qualitative approaches and drawing on data from Europe, the Americas, and Asia, the issue highlights that delayed reproduction is a lasting trend with significant consequences for future fertility and societies more broadly.
Verlag der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften
Austrian Academy of Sciences Press
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Vienna Yearbook of Population Research 2026
ISSN 1728-4414
Print Edition
ISSN 1728-5305
Online Edition
ISBN 978-3-7001-5156-2
Print Edition
ISBN 978-3-7001-5157-9
Online Edition



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Verlag der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften
Austrian Academy of Sciences Press
A-1011 Wien, Dr. Ignaz Seipel-Platz 2,
Tel. +43-1-515 81/DW 3420, Fax +43-1-515 81/DW 3400
https://verlag.oeaw.ac.at, e-mail: bestellung.verlag@oeaw.ac.at
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Partners’ age differences and first birth transitions by age at first and second union in Europe

    M-C Compans, Alessandra Trimarchi, Eva Beaujouan

Vienna Yearbook of Population Research 2026, pp. , 2026/05/14

Special issue: Delayed reproduction

doi: 10.1553/p-nk6a-fj74


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doi:10.1553/p-nk6a-fj74


Abstract

We examine the link between the partners’ age difference and the transition to the first birth in Europe, addressing a gap that typically considers age differences and fertility as separate research areas. Analysing GGS-II, we show that this association is moderated by age at union formation. For first unions formed before age 30, partners’ age differences show only a minimal association with births. For first unions formed later, regional patterns emerge. In northern Europe, women are more likely to have their first child with a same-age or younger partner, suggesting changing gender and family norms. In the rest of Europe, men with an older partner are the least likely to have children, while women’s fertility is highest when their partner is up to four years older. Finally, across all regions, men who are at least five years older than their partner in a second partnership are less likely to become a father. This study provides new insights for understanding fertility trends in contexts of delayed family formation and partnerships.

Keywords: Partners’ age difference; First birth; Generations and Gender Survey; Age hypogamy; Europe

Published Online: 2026/05/14

Object Identifier: 0xc1aa5572 0x004191e1

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Rights: © The Author(s), Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna 2026. This article/book is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Public License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) that allows the sharing, use and adaptation in any medium, provided that the user gives appropriate credit, provides a link to the license, and indicates if changes were made.