Does female education affect fertility behaviour in Pakistan?

Area of Science:

• Demography
• Sociology
• Public Health

Background:

• Fertility rates in developing nations are influenced by socioeconomic factors.
• Female education is a key determinant of demographic changes.
• Understanding education-fertility links is crucial for population planning in Pakistan.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between female education levels and fertility in Pakistan.
• To analyze how intermediate variables mediate the education-fertility nexus.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the Pakistan Fertility Survey conducted in 1975.
• Employed statistical analysis to examine fertility differentials across educational attainment.
• Assessed the role of intermediate variables like marriage, breastfeeding, and contraceptive use.

Main Results:

• Minimal fertility differences were observed between women with no education and those with primary or less schooling.
• Women attaining more than primary education exhibited notably lower fertility rates.
• Proportions married, duration of breastfeeding, and contraceptive usage showed significant associations with female education.

Conclusions:

• Female education beyond the primary level is a significant factor in reducing fertility in Pakistan.
• Intermediate variables play a crucial role in mediating the impact of education on fertility.
• Findings underscore the importance of promoting female education for demographic stabilization.