Birth intervals, postponement, and fertility decline in Africa: A new type of transition?
Open Access
- 14 August 2012
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Taylor & Francis Ltd in Population Studies
- Vol. 66 (3), 241-258
- https://doi.org/10.1080/00324728.2012.701660
Abstract
We investigated birth-interval dynamics in 24 African countries using data from 76 Demographic and Health Surveys conducted since 1986. Controlling for selection bias in the birth-history data using the Brass–Juárez method and regression models produced almost identical results. Birth intervals have lengthened in every country examined. This analysis uncovered a distinctive and previously undocumented pattern of childbearing that is prevalent across sub-Saharan Africa. After allowing for time trends in birth-interval length, the lengthening of birth intervals in almost every country varies little by women's age or parity. Moreover, in several countries, birth intervals are now too long to be explicable by birth spacing contingent on the age of women's youngest child. Rather, women are postponing births for other reasons. These findings offer empirical support for the idea that the fertility transition in sub-Saharan Africa is following a different pattern from that observed elsewhere.Keywords
This publication has 20 references indexed in Scilit:
- Fraught with Ambivalence: Reproductive Intentions and Contraceptive Choices in a Sub-Saharan Fertility TransitionPopulation Research and Policy Review, 2005
- The fertility impact of changes in the timing of childbearing in the developing worldPopulation Studies, 1999
- On the Quantum and Tempo of FertilityPopulation and Development Review, 1998
- Reproductive Mishaps and Western Contraception: An African Challenge to Fertility TheoryPopulation and Development Review, 1998
- Demographic Data Collection in Less Developed Countries 1946–1996Population Studies, 1996
- Fertility Decline in Africa: A New Type of Transition?Population and Development Review, 1992
- The Next Birth and the Labour Market: A Dynamic Model of Births in England and WalesPopulation Studies, 1987
- Family-Size Limitation and Birth Spacing: The Fertility Transition of African and Asian Immigrants in IsraelPopulation and Development Review, 1980
- Are babies consumer durables?Population Studies, 1968
- Some data on natural fertilityEugenics Quarterly, 1961