2023 Australian birth rate declines to 289,100 due to increased casual work and job insecurity.
Australia's birth rate has declined, with 289,100 babies born in 2023 compared to 315,200 in 2021. A significant factor is the prevalence of non-standard employment arrangements, such as casual work, linked to job insecurity, unpredictable working hours, and fluctuating pay. Research shows a strong correlation between casual work and lower fertility, with job insecurity and lower earnings contributing to the decline in Australian birth rates. To address this issue, creating more secure full-time jobs and implementing an insurance-based unemployment benefit system could help reduce job insecurity and encourage workforce participation, potentially increasing the birth rate.
August 05, 2024
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