Year: 2017
Type: article
Abstract: BACKGROUNDThis descriptive finding examines the comparative pace of fertility decline in sub-Saharan Africa, relative to Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Northern Africa. OBJECTIVEWe seek to determine if fertility decline has been slower in sub-Saharan Africa than elsewhere in the developing world. METHODSUnited Nations 2017 estimates of national fertility are used in assessing the comparative pace of fertility decline, and the four regions are compared in terms of how far they are into their fertility transition. RESULTSThe data shows clearly that fertility decline in sub-Saharan Africa, still at a comparatively early stage, has been considerably slower than the earlier declines in Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Northern Africa at comparable stages of the transition, and displays less within-region heterogeneity than the transitions in these other regions. CONCLUSIONThe slower pace of fertility decline in sub-Saharan Africa, in conjunction with the high current fertility levels in the region, means that in the absence of policies seeking to accelerate fertility decline, sub-Saharan Africa will continue to experience rapid population growth that in turn will constrain its development. CONTRIBUTIONPresentation of data in a novel way (Figures 234, and associated calculations) unambiguously demonstrates the slow pace of fertility decline in sub-Saharan Africa compared with other regions of the world.
Source: Demographic Research
Authors: David Shapiro, Andrew Hinde
Institutions: Pennsylvania State University, University of Southampton
Language: English
Subfield: Gender Studies
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
Funder: Pennsylvania State University
OpenAlex ID: W2765874806