Migration and Family Formation Dyanmics in Nigeria: An Exploration of Linkages between Migration Status and Reproductive Behaviour

Migration process has implications for changing fertility behaviour and family formation through adaptation, disruption, and selection processes. The study analyzed differentials in fertility levels of migrant and non-migrant married women and factors associated with these, using NDHS 2008 dataset. Findings of the study found evidence of substantial variations in the fertility levels of migrants and non-migrants. The mean children ever born for migrants and non-migrants were estimated at four and five children respectively. The odds of reporting five or more children increased by 27% among non-migrants compared to migrants counterparts. Amongst other variables predicting fertility behaviour, age at first marriage, education, women in high wealth index from Yoruba tribe and partners’ education exercised greater effects on lowering fertility among migrants than they did among non-migrants. The study raises issue on the implications of migration process for fertility reduction and the need for profound focus on the factors sustaining high fertility in Nigeria.