Preliminary Demography of 1981 Census

The purpose of this paper is to examine the results of the 1981 census. Its main conclusion is that fertility declines are occurring in at least seven of the main states, and very possibly several more. Also, despite appearances to the contrary, the real underlying rate of population growth has very probably slowed during the last decade. Therefore, so far as fertility trends are concerned, the census results' warrant a posture of cautious optimism, rather than one of consternation or dismay.