SA’s birth rate begins to slow down

JOHANNESBURG - South Africa is bucking the trend when it comes to global birth rates.

The current fertility rate is 2.1 births, but South African women -- on average -- give birth to 2.3 children.

However, that trend is now shifting for a variety of reasons.

Better healthcare and contraceptives, delayed marriages and the cost of raising children are some factors.

In fact, 40 percent of babies are born into households that earn less than R5,000 per month. 

Research firm Eighty20 says the changes will dramatically impact the labour market and healthcare.

Director Andrew Fulton has more.