Fertility decline in Tanzania

Area of Science:

• Demography
• Public Health
• Sociology

Background:

• Tanzania experienced a decline in fertility rates in the early 1990s.
• Understanding fertility determinants is crucial for population planning and health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the trends and determinants of fertility in Tanzania.
• To identify key social and demographic factors influencing childbearing patterns.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the 1991/92 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey.
• Employed correlational analysis to examine social and demographic influences on fertility.

Main Results:

• Average fertility rate was 6.1 births per woman by age 50.
• Universal and prolonged breastfeeding was identified as the primary proximate determinant of fertility.
• Infant/child mortality, educational attainment, and age at first marriage significantly correlated with fertility levels.

Conclusions:

• Fertility in Tanzania is influenced by a combination of proximate and distal factors.
• Interventions targeting child survival, education, and marriage age may impact fertility trends.