New research from Edith Gray and Ann Evans demonstrates that contextual differences in regional Australian leads to higher fertility over and above differences found due to the composition of the population living in regional areas. After taking into account differences in age, country of birth, indigenous status, relationship status, education levels, and economic activity, they find that women living in smaller towns in regional Australia are more likely to have a first, second, and third birth. Further, there is lower propensity to have a first child in inner or middle city areas that are characterized by smaller and more expensive housing than suburban or regional areas.

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