The effect of socioeconomic status on marital fertility during the demographic transition, northern Sweden 1821–1950

The impact of the family’s socioeconomic status at marriage on later child births during thedemographic transition (1821–1950) is studied. It is found that the fertility decline starts inthe upper classes in the decades prior to 1900. The farmers are characterized by relativelyhigh fertility in high ages even in the end of the study period.A stopping behavior seems to dominate a spacing one, especially along cohorts. The effectof declining infant mortality over time is minor