Explaining the Role of Proximate Determinants of Fertility among Poor and Non-poor in Asian Countries

The fertility decline has been observed in most regions of the developing world over the last three decades. Major fertility decline have occurred in populations that are poor, with large rural and illiterate strata. This situation raises questions about the factors responsible for fertility transition. This paper critically examines fertility levels, trends, and the role of proximate determinants of fertility decline by economic status (poor/non-poor) in selected Asian countries namely Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Philippines and Vietnam. Economic status is measured by computing a ‘wealth index’, i.e. a composite indicator constructed by aggregating data on asset ownership and housing characteristics using principal components analysis. In analyzing the major proximate determinants we applied Bongaarts model to data obtained from three rounds of DHS surveys. The contribution of each of the major proximate variables has examined through the decomposition of TFR for three points of time. Results indicate that fertility is comparatively higher among poor than non-poor women however; it is declining gradually probably due to the increasing CPR and diffusion of idea of perceived benefits of small family size. Contraceptive practice is playing the key role in fertility decline among poor and non-poor women.