Cambios en las pautas de fecundidad de la comunidad de Madrid. Los procesos de inmigración como factor explicativo

Abstract

This article analyzes the changes observed in the fecundity index in the Communidad de Madrid (CM), which began to grow slowly after 1995, in contrast to prior trends. After an analysis of the basic birth trends that are occurring in CM, the article considers two altemative explanatory factors: the changes observed in the age composition of fertile females, their dififerences in terms of fecundity, and the size of the immigrant population and their reproductive behavior. The conclusions indícate that, despite the fact that the immigrant population is playing an important role in the increase in the birth rate in Madrid, it is not the only factor that should be taken into account. Women in Madrid between the ages of 30 and 39 years, having delayed their reproductive decisions at an earlier age, are actually deciding to have children, increasing the fecunidity rate of this cohort.