Fertility Transition in the Developing World [electronic resource] / by John Bongaarts, Dennis Hodgson.

1. Fertility Trends in the Developing World, 1950-2020 -- 2. Country Fertility Transition Patterns -- 3. Transitions in Individual Reproductive Behavior and Preferences -- 4. Socio-economic Determinants of Fertility -- 5. Controversies Surrounding Fertility Policies -- 6. Does Fertility Decline Stimulate Development? -- 7. The Impact of Voluntary Family Planning Programs on Contraceptive Use, Fertility, and Population -- 8. The Developing World’s Fertility Transition: 2000-2020 -- 9. Conclusion.

Open Access

This open access book provides an overview and analysis of the causes and consequences of the massive and highly consequential transition in reproductive behaviour that occurred in Asia, Latin America, and Africa since the mid-20th century. In the 1950s contraceptive use was rare and women typically spend most of their reproductive years bearing and rearing children. By 2020 fertility and contraceptive use in Asia and Latin America reached levels commonly observed in the developed world. Africa’s fertility is still high, but transitions have started in all countries. This monograph is the first to provide a comprehensive analysis of these trends and their determinants, covering changes in reproductive behaviour (e.g., use of contraception and abortion), preferences (e.g., desire to limit and space births) and the role of socioeconomic development (e.g., education). The role of government policies and in particular family planning programs is discussed in depth. Particular attention isgiven to provide a balanced assessment of several political and scientific controversies that have beset the field. As such this book provides an interesting read for a wide audience of undergraduate and graduate students, researchers, and public health policy makers.