Fertility Transition in Botswana

The objective of this study, therefore, is to examine the fertility levels, trends, differentials and to try to explain the causes of the observed fertility change. An attempt to speculate on future prospects for fertility is also undertaken. The primary sources of data are the censuses and different surveys conducted in Botswana since the mid-1980s. Overall four population censuses, four Botswana Family Health Surveys and two Botswana Demographic Surveys were used in the analysis. In this paper we use data from the Botswana Family Health Survey III and IV to do detailed analysis on the relationships between fertility and its correlates. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to address various aspects of the research question. Using various fertility measures, there is evidence that suggests that sustained fertility decline is taking place in the country. There appears to an overwhelming evidence to suggest that fertility in Botswana will continue to decline in the future given all the changing socio-economic, demographic and cultural factors. All the factors that promote fertility decline appear to operate in the country and thus will work to ensure sustained fertility decline.