Adolescent fertility and its impact on educational attainment in Nigeria: A propensity score matching approach

Abstract

ABSTRACT Teenage childbearing remains a persistent challenge in Nigeria, characterized by a high rate of early adolescent births. This study examines the impact of teenage fertility on educational attainment of young mothers in Nigeria. Utilizing data from the 2018 Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey, we applied propensity score matching techniques to construct a matched sample of non-fertile teenagers aged 15 to19 years that closely corresponds to a sample of fertile teenagers. The results of our analysis reveal that the average treatment effect of teenage fertility is a reduction in education attainment by nearly two and half years. Furthermore, being fertile during the teenage years is associated with a 25 percent decrease in the probability of completing secondary school. This underscores the significant educational challenges faced by young mothers in Nigeria due to early childbirth. Addressing the challenge of early childbearing among adolescent girls in Nigeria is critical not only for the well-being of these girls but also for the country's overall development and future prospects.