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Delayed marriage, contraceptive use, and breastfeeding: Fertility patterns over time and wealth quintiles in sub-Saharan Africa

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  • Jocelyn E. Finlay
  • Iván Mejía-Guevara
  • Yoko Akachi

Abstract

The rate of fertility decline has been slow in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Using the Demographic and Health Surveys for 21 SSA countries between 1990 and 2014, we examine the within-country fertility patterns by wealth, applying the Bongaarts (2015) proximate determinants model. We find that overall, fertility has declined in SSA for the richest, but not for the poorest, and this translates to a slow decline in the national-level total fertility rate. We find that breastfeeding periods are generally declining, putting upward pressure on the fertility rate.

Suggested Citation

  • Jocelyn E. Finlay & Iván Mejía-Guevara & Yoko Akachi, 2016. "Delayed marriage, contraceptive use, and breastfeeding: Fertility patterns over time and wealth quintiles in sub-Saharan Africa," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2016-43, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2016-43
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bloom, David E & Williamson, Jeffrey G, 1998. "Demographic Transitions and Economic Miracles in Emerging Asia," The World Bank Economic Review, World Bank, vol. 12(3), pages 419-455, September.
    2. David E. BLOOM & Jocelyn E. FINLAY, 2009. "Demographic Change and Economic Growth in Asia," Asian Economic Policy Review, Japan Center for Economic Research, vol. 4(1), pages 45-64, June.
    3. David Bloom & David Canning & Günther Fink & Jocelyn Finlay, 2009. "Fertility, female labor force participation, and the demographic dividend," Journal of Economic Growth, Springer, vol. 14(2), pages 79-101, June.
    4. David E. Bloom & David Canning & Pia N. Malaney, 1999. "Demographic Change and Economic Growth in Asia," CID Working Papers 15, Center for International Development at Harvard University.
    5. John Bongaarts, 2015. "Modeling the fertility impact of the proximate determinants: Time for a tune-up," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 33(19), pages 535-560.
    6. Onuoha, Nelson, 1992. "Contributions of the proximate determinants to fertility change in Senegal," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 35(10), pages 1317-1320, November.
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