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Linkages between Education and Fertility in Sub-Saharan Africa

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  • David SHAPIRO

Abstract

This paper explores linkages between women’s education and fertility in sub-Saharan Africa, using DHS data from about 30 countries. There are three substantive sets of analyses. First, we shed light on several pathways via which fertility is linked to education. We examine how fertility varies by detailed education and place of residence jointly, consider ideal number of children and its relationship to fertility, look at some proximate determinants, and differences in infant and child mortality, all by education and place of residence. The second part identifies, for each country, the importance of changes over time in women’s education and in mortality in contributing to observed declines in fertility. We decompose changes in fertility and identify the importance of changes in education and mortality, separately for urban and rural places. The final set of analyses looks at preferences for low fertility, defined as an ideal number of children of three or fewer. The prevalence of such preferences, as well as how they have increased over time, are documented, and the analyses explore their relationship to women’s education, place of residence, and other factors including population density and subregion. The conclusion provides some speculation on future fertility decline in the region.

Suggested Citation

  • David SHAPIRO, 2017. "Linkages between Education and Fertility in Sub-Saharan Africa," Working Paper 9fdf2602-7726-42b4-b168-8, Agence française de développement.
    • Handle: RePEc:avg:wpaper:en7702
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jejeebhoy, Shireen J., 1995. "Women's Education, Autonomy, and Reproductive Behaviour: Experience from Developing Countries," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780198290339.
    2. Altinok, Nadir & Aydemir, Abdurrahman, 2017. "Does one size fit all? The impact of cognitive skills on economic growth," Journal of Macroeconomics, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 176-190.
    3. Easterlin, Richard A. & Crimmins, Eileen M., 1985. "The Fertility Revolution," University of Chicago Press Economics Books, University of Chicago Press, number 9780226180298, September.
    4. John Bongaarts, 2010. "The causes of educational differences in fertility in Sub-Saharan Africa," Vienna Yearbook of Population Research, Vienna Institute of Demography (VID) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences in Vienna, vol. 8(1), pages 31-50.
    5. Oaxaca, Ronald, 1973. "Male-Female Wage Differentials in Urban Labor Markets," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 14(3), pages 693-709, October.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Afrique;

    JEL classification:

    • Q - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics

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