• 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
A-1011 Wien, Dr. Ignaz Seipel-Platz 2
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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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Comparing ideal family size with observed and forecasted completed cohort fertility in Denmark and Norway

    Peter Fallesen, Lars Dommermuth, Julia Hellstrand, Emil Simonsen, Lisbeth Trille Gylling Loft, Laust Hvas Mortensen

Vienna Yearbook of Population Research 2026, pp. , 2026/07/01

Special issue: Delayed reproduction

doi: 10.1553/p-m677-8z27


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doi:10.1553/p-m677-8z27


Abstract

The question of whether the ongoing Nordic fertility decline reflects delayed fertility onset, weakening preferences for children or barriers to realising fertility ideals remains unresolved. We examine whether age-specific cohort ideals track cohort fertility forecasts in Denmark and Norway, using Generations and Gender Survey round 2 (2020) data to compare the stated ideal number of children with realised and forecasted cohort fertility at age 45. In both countries, women’s ideal family size exceeds the number of children they have or can expect to have. In Denmark, the ideals-expectations gap remains stable across cohorts, but it is forecasted to widen for the most recent cohorts; in Norway, the gap grows consistently across cohorts. In both countries, the widening gap is driven by forecasted declines in cohort fertility, which in turn are driven entirely by declining fertility before age 30.

Keywords: Fertility • Forecasting • Generations and Gender Survey • Ideals • Nordic countries