Fertility rates are defined as the number of births per 1,000 women of childbearing age (between the ages of 15 and 44).  Starting in 1990, the fertility rate declined steadily from 70.9 to 65.0 births per 1,000 women 15-44 years in 1997.  However, since 1997, the rate has increased slightly to 67.5 in 2000.