• Vienna Institute of Demography (Ed.) - Éva Beaujouan - Marie-Caroline Compans - Alice Goisis - Jasmin Passet-Wittig (Guest Eds.)

Vienna Yearbook of Population Research 2026

Special issue: Delayed reproduction

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The Vienna Yearbook of Population Research is an open access journal that features contributions addressing population trends as well as a broad range of theoretical and methodological issues in population research. Besides Research articles and Review articles, the journal includes Data and Trends contributions, which analyse changes in population dynamics or present databases and data infrastructure. It also features Perspectives articles, which focus on ideas, concepts or theories, as well as invited Debates reflecting on selected questions and issues. Since 2008, the volumes have been devoted to selected themes following special calls for thematic issues.

The 2026 volume of the Vienna Yearbook of Population Research brings together a diverse set of contributions examining delayed reproduction as a defining feature of contemporary demographic change. The papers explore how later transitions to parenthood reshape reproductive trajectories, fertility intentions and birth outcomes for individuals and societies. Particular emphasis is placed on heterogeneities and inequalities by educational background, migration status, and place of residence. Using both quantitative and qualitative approaches and drawing on data from Europe, the Americas, and Asia, the issue highlights that delayed reproduction is a lasting trend with significant consequences for future fertility and societies more broadly.
Verlag der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften
Austrian Academy of Sciences Press
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Vienna Yearbook of Population Research 2026
ISSN 1728-4414
Print Edition
ISSN 1728-5305
Online Edition
ISBN 978-3-7001-5156-2
Print Edition
ISBN 978-3-7001-5157-9
Online Edition



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Verlag der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften
Austrian Academy of Sciences Press
A-1011 Wien, Dr. Ignaz Seipel-Platz 2,
Tel. +43-1-515 81/DW 3420, Fax +43-1-515 81/DW 3400
https://verlag.oeaw.ac.at, e-mail: bestellung.verlag@oeaw.ac.at
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Introduction: Delayed reproduction reshapes fertility patterns and reproductive experiences

    Éva Beaujouan, M-C Compans, Alice Goisis, Jasmin Passet-Wittig

Vienna Yearbook of Population Research 2026, pp. , 2026/11/11

Special issue: Delayed reproduction

doi: 10.1553/p-48g9-2645


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doi:10.1553/p-48g9-2645


Abstract

This Special Issue offers new perspectives on delayed reproduction in contemporary societies. Delayed reproduction is a consequence of institutional and structural factors that make earlier childbearing challenging and of evolving individual preferences. The articles in this Special Issue explore the unique nature of this interaction between personal aspirations, reproductive constraints and broader social, economic and institutional contexts. They examine the drivers of delayed reproduction and the mechanisms by which childbearing is postponed. These include partnership dynamics, uncertainty and repeated revisions to fertility timing intentions. The contributions also shed new light on stages of the reproductive process that are often overlooked, from conception and birth experiences to non-live birth outcomes. Finally, they provide a comprehensive overview of the consequences of delayed reproduction for individuals and societies, contextualising the phenomenon within broader discussions on low fertility and the increasing significance of reproductive technologies. By bringing together these different perspectives, the Special Issue advances our understanding of how delayed reproduction is reshaping contemporary fertility patterns and reproductive experiences. It provides new evidence to inform both future research and policy responses to the opportunities and challenges associated with delayed reproduction.

Keywords: Births;Medically assisted reproduction; Fertility; Fertility postponement; Fertility intentions; Fertility timing; reproduction; low-fertility countries; Europe

Published Online: 2026/11/11

Object Identifier: 0xc1aa5572 0x00421506

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Metrics: https://plu.mx/plum/a/?doi=10.1553/p-48g9-2645

Rights: © The Author(s), Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna 2026. This article/book is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Public License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) that allows the sharing, use and adaptation in any medium, provided that the user gives appropriate credit, provides a link to the license, and indicates if changes were made.