Urban-Rural Life Setting as the Explanatory Factor of Differences in Fertility Behaviour in Slovenia

Contemporary research of fertility behaviour that considers simultaneous longitudinal and prospective inclusion of individual and contextual levels of observation increases its explanatory power of explanation. The only research data of the kind in Slovenian is Fertility behaviour of Slovenians which was a part of international project the Family and Fertility Survey (FFS), carried out in 1995. On the basis of this survey data combined with statistical census data in the form of socio-economic typology of Slovenian countryside the article aims to explain the tendency and reasons of still persistent difference in urban-rural fertility. The study of relationship between fertility decisions of different generations and developmental characteristics of rural and urban areas in Slovenia reveals that this relationship is a complex and dynamic one. Obtained research results call for diversified actions of population policies in Slovenia. In to its field of actions not merely family and social policy should be integrated, but also space and regional measures that will consider different every day’s life conditions and needs of people, living in particular space setting, and in this way assist them to fulfil their desired number of children.