Education, Income, and Fertility in Pakistan

Abstract

The quantitative impact of income and education on fertility was evaluated using cross-sectional data from Pakistan Impact Survey on 1024 currently married women under 50 years of age. The multistage sample of households in Pakistan was internally self-weighted within rural and urban strata. A model for completed family size was developed and the parameters of the model estimated by the 2-stage least squares technique. Results indicated that income or general economic well-being had a positive effect on fertility in the rural areas of Pakistan but a negative effect in urban areas. Income inadequacy exhibited a negative effect on demand for more children in both urban and rural settings. Wifes and husbands education had a negative impact on completed family size in rural areas and an insignificant effect in urban areas. To higher the age at marriage the more likely Pakistani couples would desire additional children. The greater the number of boys the less likely Pakistani couples would desire additional children. Limitations of this study are problems associated with data base and estimation procedures. The findings of this study are problems associated with data base and estimation procedures. The findings are at best results of the study rather than prescriptions for policy.