Late motherhood and spatial aspects of late fertility in Slovakia

Abstract Shifting childbearing to later reproductive ages is reflected in all European populations. Late motherhood also changes, from the point of view of parity structure, since nowadays, the beginning of reproductive pathways is increasingly realised at the age of 35 and over more often. The regional dimension of this phenomenon is significantly overlooked, however. The main aim of this paper is to explore how the level and the impact of late motherhood has changed from a spatial perspective. We use Slovakia as a case study population characterised until the end of the 1980s by an early beginning of reproduction and its concentration in the first half of the reproductive period, and by relatively significant socio-economic, cultural and demographic differences. At the same time, we point out the changes in late motherhood in terms of parity structure. Finally, through linear regression models, we try to identify which of the selected factors may condition the differences in share of late fertility and the significance of first births at advanced reproductive ages.