Page 16 - IJPS-11-3

International Journal of
Population Studies Role of nuptiality patterns to fertility

4.2. The desire to control childbearing among 4.4. The child replacement effect significantly
Ethiopian women significantly contributed to the shaped the lifetime fertility transition of Ethiopian
shift in lifetime fertility women
The study sheds light on the contribution of the rise in The decline in lifetime fertility among women aged over
family planning among Ethiopian women between the two 35 has been attributed to the child replacement effect.
surveys to the fertility transition. The evidence indicates that Higher overall fertility rates in this age range are the result
if women from earlier survey periods had adopted modern of families having more children to compensate for those
family planning methods with the same intensity as those in they have lost. The improvement in child survival across
more recent surveys, their lifetime fertility rates would likely the 16-year periods has largely contributed to the drop in
have been lower. This finding highlights the substantial lifetime fertility (77%). In agreement with our findings, a
impact of the increased prevalence of modern contraceptive study has found that improved child survival increases the
use on fertility trends. The analysis underscores the critical size of the family supported and lowers the desire to have
role that access to and utilization of effective family planning more children (N. & Simon, 2001). Higher child survival
resources play in shaping reproductive outcomes over time. rates often lead to lower lifetime fertility rates. When
Premarital sex increases fertility in communities with limited parents are confident that their children will survive to
access or knowledge of effective contraceptive methods. adulthood, they may choose to have fewer children. The
This lack of access leads to higher rates of unintended interplay between improved child survival and fertility
pregnancies and, consequently, increased lifetime fertility decisions highlights the importance of health interventions
(Smith-Greenaway, 2016). However, communications and in shaping demographic trends in Ethiopia. Focusing on
discussions about family planning and reproductive health lessening child mortality and improving maternal health
exist between couples in stable marriages. This open dialog are essential for accelerating the reduction of lifetime
leads to the use of contraceptives and a mutual agreement fertility rates.
to space or limit births, thus contributing to lower lifetime 4.5. Strengths and limitations
fertility (Walle, 2012).
A prominent strength of this study is the utilization of
4.3. Socioeconomic shifts also contributed to robust datasets afforded by DHSs that capture factors
lifetime fertility transition influencing nuptiality and fertility. This study is not without
The reduction in the proportion of women with no formal any limitations. First, the study used partially completed
education has significantly contributed to the decline in fertility data of women aged 35 and above, assuming
lifetime fertility compared to those receiving secondary that the contribution of their lifetime fertility is <1 child.
and above education during the period between the Second, postpartum insusceptibility, cohabitation, and
surveys. Individuals who marry later tend to have higher abortion rates were excluded from the analysis. Third,
educational attainment and career aspirations. This the over-emphasis on women’s experiences may lead to
personal development leads to a preference for delayed overlooking the role of men and broader family dynamics
childbearing, contributing to lower fertility (Gündoğdu in shaping nuptiality and fertility patterns. Finally, data
& Bulut, 2022). In addition, women living in areas with collection from women aged 35 and above relies on
medium levels of community education showed an the respondents’ ability to recall the timing of events,
increase in lifetime fertility. Conversely, women living in which may be influenced by memory lapses, potentially
medium-community education had increased lifetime introducing reporting bias.
fertility. Between 2000 and 2016, the reduction in the
number of women of the poorest wealth index significantly 5. Conclusion
contributed to the decrease in lifetime fertility rates in Ethiopia has seen a significant decline in lifetime
Ethiopia. As economic conditions improved for many fertility across the 16-year period between the two
women, particularly those in lower wealth categories, there DHSs conducted in 2000 and 2016. The lifetime fertility
was a notable shift in fertility preferences and behaviors. transition is a result of changes in nuptiality patterns,
Women with higher educational attainment and improved socioeconomic shifts, improvement in child survival,
economic status were more likely to desire fewer children, and changes in modern contraceptive use. The observed
leading to a decline in overall fertility rates (Alemu et al., statistically significant decline in lifetime fertility is
2024). Socioeconomic factors are important in shaping primarily linked to the reduction in the average number of
reproductive choices, underscoring the need for targeted deceased children. Whether marriage occurs early or late
interventions to support women’s empowerment and if it remains stable, it contributes to an increase in lifetime
health in Ethiopia. fertility; similarly, if it remains unstable, it contributes

Volume 11 Issue 3 (2025) 10 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.5749