The fertility transition and the multiple response system in Portugal

Abstract

This article analyzes the decline in the fertility of married couples between 1920 and 1960, in conjunction with emigration and constraints on nuptiality. It establishes that there was greater emigration before the start of the decline in fertility and that the dilution of constraints on nuptiality only occurred afterwards. The econometric models used confirm the significance of nuptiality and migrations, as well as the significance of mortality and social and economic changes in explaining the regional differences in the decline of fertility.