Components of Unexpected Fertility Decline in Sub-Saharan Africa (English)

Document Type

Analytical Studies

Publication Topic(s)

Fertility and Fertility Preferences

Country(s)

Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, Zimbabwe

Language

English

Author(s)

Ann K. Blanc and Prosper V. Poukouta and Macro International Inc. Calverton, Maryland, USA

Publication Date

September 1997

Publication ID

AR5

Abstract:

The statistical relationship derived from a linear regression of contraceptive prevalence on the total fertility rate indicates that an increase of 15 percentage points in contraceptive prevalence among married women is associated with a decline of about one child in the total fertility rate. The purpose of this report is to examine the situation in four countries in sub-Saharan Africa-Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, and Zimbabwe-which appear to deviate substantially from this expected pattern. These are countries in which fertility has declined by a greater amount than would be expected on the basis of increases in contraceptive prevalence.