Family, policy, social trends and fertility in Québec : Experimenting with the Nordic model?

The adoption of new lifestyles, the decline of marriage and couple formation at a later age have all contributed to the decline of fertility, especially in the under-30 age groups, in the great majority of countries. [...] XIV INTRODUCTION Québec is in the process of completing the main components of a family policy, unparalleled in the rest of Canada or the United States. [...] We decided that in the first chapter we would examine the level and evolution of Québec’s fertility in relation to the situation in the principal developed countries. [...] In the second part of the first chapter, we continue the comparative analysis by looking at each of the main factors recognized as determinants of the evolution of fertility in the developed countries. [...] In short, our research has taken the most relevant indicators, the most recent theories, empirical research findings and experiences in certain countries to attempt to explain the situation of fertility in Québec with respect to developed countries⎯particularly Nordic ones⎯and, finally, to bring out the prospects for the province’s future.