[On methods for the rapid estimation of the synthetic indicator of fertility]

Two methods that have been developed by G. Calot and E. Lombardo to provide quick estimates of synthetic measures of fertility from partial data are described and evaluated. The data used are for Italy for the period 1971 to 1980. "The results reveal that [the methods] are practically equivalent; however Lombardo's method is to be preferred because it also gives an estimate of age-specific fertility rates....[This method is then] applied to...national and regional Italian data in order to anticipate the age-specific fertility rates as well as the synthetic period measures for 1979 and 1980." (summary in ENG, FRE)