Second Demographic Transition

The Second Demographic Transition (SDT) is a term used to describe dynamic interrelationships between fertility rates, a constellation of innovative demographic behaviors, and changing values in countries characterized by sustained below-replacement fertility. Key demographic changes accompanying the emergence of very low fertility include delayed marriage and childbearing, and substantial increases in cohabitation, nonmarital fertility, childlessness, maternal employment, and divorce. The core shift in values associated with the SDT involves movement away from viewing marriage and childbearing as either unquestioned or obligatory toward a life orientation in which family formation is something purposively chosen for its role in self-actualization.