What is Australia's fertility rate?

The fertility rate of a country reflects the average number of children that would be born to a woman over her lifetime, based on current birth rates. Australia's fertility rate has been observed to be approximately 1.74 children per woman, which is a figure that aligns with recent demographic studies and census data. This rate is below the replacement level of 2.1, which is the average number needed to maintain a stable population without immigration.

The choice reflecting 1.74 captures the current fertility trends seen in Australia, including factors such as social, economic, and cultural influences that have led to lower birth rates over the years. This understanding is critical for analyzing population dynamics, as it affects future population growth, workforce sustainability, and economic planning.