Fertility Profile of immigrant mothers and Puerto Ricans mothers, Puerto Rico: 2008 and 2013

Abstract

Background/Objectives. The migration and fertility are demographics phenomenon‘s that intervene with the population growth. The fertility and immigration have been reduced in the last decades, however, the emigration have increase. The immigration fell by 6% among 2008 and 2013. In 2008 the births of immigrant‘s mothers represented 13% and 11% in 2013. The objective of this study was to elaborate a sociodemographic profile of the immigrants‘ mothers. Methods. This research is descriptive. The quinquennial files (PUMS) of the Puerto Rico Community Survey (PRCS) of 2006-2010 and 2011-2015 and the birth records of the Demographic Register were used. Also, beside the analyzing sociodemographic characteristics, different nationality-specific rates were calculated and divided into four groups. Results. Births have declined between 2008 and 2013 in greater proportions for the North-Americans mothers (31%), followed by the Dominicans (27%), other countries (25%) and the Puertoricans (18%). The total fertility rate (average of children) decreased in less proportion in the Dominicans (8%) and other countries (7%), compared to the North-Americans (19%) and Puertoricans (12%). In 2013, 47.8% of Puerto Ricans had their first child, compared to 44.3% of North-Americans, 39.7% of the Dominicans and 51.7% of other countries. Conclusion. Migrants of reproductive age carry their contribution to the rate of growth. Fertility without being agile as migration also responds to the socioeconomic crisis across the country.