Further evidence of the onset of fertility decline in Nepal
Niraula, B.B.
Asia-Pacific Population Journal 5(4): 57-66
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0259-238X PMID: 12343032 Document Number: 375033
A village-level study of fertility trends was conducted in Benighat to provide supporting evidence of fertility decline in Nepal. Subjecting socioeconomic and fertility data obtained from questionnaires through the reverse survival technique, the study found evidence supporting fertility decline in the study population, and most probably in Nepal overall. Total fertility rate (TFR) declined 9% from 6.4 to 5.8, over the period 1976/79-1980/82, and 8.5% from 5.8 to 5.3 over the period 1980/82-1983/86. Similar trends were observed for the age-specific fertility rate (ASFR), except that fertility for women 15-19 and 20-24 increased during 1976/79-1980-82, most probably due to better nutritional standards available from improved economic opportunities in the village. The highest ASFR is for the group aged 20-24, followed by the 25-29 and 15-19 groups. Greatest declines were seen amongst groups aged 30-34 and 40-44 in 1976/79 and 1983/86, ASFRs dropping by 38.9% and 33.2% respectively. Steadily rising contraceptive prevalence rates by age ranging from the 15-19 group with coverage of 6.9% to the 40-44 group covered at 27/5% influenced ASFR decline among older age groups. Overall contraception coverage for the study population is 17.2%. Fertility rate decline is observed in conjunction with increased contraception use, literacy rate, mean age at marriage, and declining infant mortality rates. These trends are observed across Nepal. Additionally, populations are increasingly leaving the agricultural sector for other economic sectors. More research is needed to identify causal factors necessary for continued fertility decline.