["Delayed" modernization: spatial aspects of marital fertility decline in the federal provinces of Tyrol and Vorarlberg in the 1960s and 1970s].

Abstract

"This study treats the decline of marital fertility in all of the 374 municipalities ('Gemeinden') of the Alpine area of western Austria (the Federal Provinces of the Tyrol and Vorarlberg). For each municipality Coale's Index of marital fertility (I(g)) is calculated for the years 1961-1971-1981. Particular attention is drawn to the geographical variation of the I(g)-values. A five-stage model is used to describe time-lag effects in the spatial fertility decline." It is found that "although there was a significant overall reduction in marital fertility of about 50%, most regional differences observed in 1961 can also be found in 1981." Economic, social, and religious factors related to these fertility trends are noted (SUMMARY IN ENG)