Fertility transition in sub-Saharan Africa: falling and stalling

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Periodical article

Title:	Fertility transition in sub-Saharan Africa: falling and stalling
Authors:	Shapiro, David Gebreselassie, Tesfayi
Year:	2008
Periodical:	African Population Studies
Volume:	23
Issue:	1
Pages:	3-23
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Subsaharan Africa
Subject:	fertility rate
Abstract:	This paper uses data from the Demographic and Health Surveys carried out in sub-Saharan Africa to examine the current status of fertility transition in the region, including the extent to which fertility decline has stalled. Among the two dozen countries covered by multiple surveys, 22 have seen a fertility transition, and a third of these countries have experienced stalling of fertility decline. The authors study the links between changes in contraceptive use, fertility preferences, and socioeconomic development (as reflected in changes in women's education, infant and child mortality, and real per-capita economic growth) and fertility decline and the stalling of this decline. Changes in the measures of socioeconomic development are all related to the likelihood of stalling. The authors also analyse determinants of age-specific fertility rates in urban and rural places, and assess future prospects for fertility decline in the region. Progress in increasing women's educational attainment and in reducing infant and child mortality are identified as key factors contributing to sustained fertility decline. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum. in English and French. [Journal abstract]