Fertility transition in Nigeria: exploring the role of desired number of children

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Periodical article

Title:	Fertility transition in Nigeria: exploring the role of desired number of children
Author:	Ibisomi, Latifat D.G.
Year:	2008
Periodical:	African Population Studies (ISSN 0850-5780)
Volume:	23
Issue:	2
Pages:	207-222
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Nigeria
Subjects:	fertility fertility rate
Abstract:	Reports have suggested the onset of fertility transition in Nigeria and speculations are rife about the factors driving the observed fertility changes. This study investigates if and how 'desired number of children' influences the observed fertility change in the country, utilizing information collected from twenty-four focus group discussion (FGD) sessions conducted across the country. The results show that people are revising the number of children they are having downward, but the desired number of children remains high. Religion and culture are key drivers of current desired number of children but changing socioeconomic factors greatly limit the actual number of children people have. The desired number of children does not play a noticeable role in the observed fertility transition in Nigeria, posing significant challenges for policies and programmes that aim to lower the desired number of children for sustainable fertility level in the country. Bibliogr., sum. in English and French. [Journal abstract]