Fertility trends in Sri Lanka and future prospects
Fernando, D.F.
Journal of Biosocial Science 8(1): 35-43
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0021-9320 PMID: 956201 DOI: 10.1017/s0021932000010439Document Number: 387022
Using data from the Censuses of 1963 and 1971, the Socio-Economic Survey conducted from Nov. 1969-Oct. 1970 and the Registrar General's Department, fertility trends in Sri Lanka during the period 1960-72 are analyzed with special reference to the subperiods 1963-70 and 1963-71. Changes in the proportion of women marrying was the most significant factor in the decline in the crude birth rate during 1963-70 and 1963-71. In the discussion on future prospects, attention is focused on the increase in contraceptive use from 1973 onwards together with other factors such as further postponement of marriage for women, a higher level of spinsterhood and emigration. The adverse effects on future fertility reduction of progressively larger female cohorts entering the main child-bearing years (20-34) are discussed.