Norway birth rate down again

For the seventh year straight, birth rates are declining in Norway The Local Social pressure is causing women to wait longer and longer before starting families, says one expert. Birth rates of 2.1 per woman are needed to keep population numbers constant. In Norway, the figure is now down to 1.71, having dropped every year since 2009. The average age of first-time parents of both genders is also increasing, according to figures released by Statistics Norway. Women who have a lot of children often find themselves defending their decision, consultant Dr. Anne Eskild told broadcaster NRK. “When so many have no children or only one child, others have to have five children to keep numbers up,” said Eskild, who wo