SOCIOECONOMIC-FACTORS AFFECTING MARRIAGE, DIVORCE AND BIRTH-RATES IN A JAPANESE POPULATION

The effects of low income, urbanisation and young age population on ag e-adjusted rates of first marriage, divorce and live birth among the J apanese population in 46 prefectures were analysed by stepwise regress ion for 1970 and for 1975. During this period, Japanese society experi enced a drastic change from long-lasting economic growth to serious re cession in 1973. In both 1970 and 1975, the first marriage rate for fe males was inversely related to low income and the divorce rates for bo th males and females were positively related to low income. The live b irth rate was significantly related to low income, urbanisation and yo ung age population only in 1975. The first marriage rate for females a nd the divorce rates for both sexes increased significantly but the fi rst marriage rate for males and live birth rate significantly decrease d between 1970 and 1975. These findings suggest that low income was th e essential factor affecting first marriage for females and divorce fo r males and females.