Costa Ricans waiting longer for marriage, having fewer children

November 26^th, 2014 (InsideCostaRica.com) Data released this week by the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC) shows that Costa Ricans are waiting longer to get married and are having fewer children.

In 2013, there were just 15 births per 1,000 inhabitants versus 25 births per 1,000 inhabitants in 1993, a significant reduction for a period of 20 years.

The total fertility rate dropped to 1.76 births per woman in 2013 versus 2.91 births per woman in 1993.

However, the number of children born to teenage mothers has increased during the same 20-year span.  In 2013, 18.4% of births were to mothers between 15 and 19 years of age, versus 16.9% of births in 1993.

Meanwhile, fewer Costa Ricans are getting married, and those who do are waiting longer to tie the knot.

In 2013, there were 5.5 marriages per 1,000 inhabitants versus 6.3 marriages per 1,000 inhabitants in 1993.  The average age at marriage for men increased from 28 to 34 and for women from 25 to 30 during the same period.

The number of Catholic marriages has also been in steady decline – 58% of marriages were conducted by the Catholic Church in 1993 versus 27% of marriages in 2013.