Fertility Trends and Determinants in Jordan

Abstract

In Jordan levels of fertility at least equal those of most other Arab countries. A 1983 survey shows that women whose chilbearing is complete have about 8 children on average and that by 30 years of age women have already had 5 children. Current levels of fertility are lower than those observed 15 years age however: At all ages women have fewer children than their counterparts of a decade ago. The total fertility rate fell from about 8 births per woman in the early 1970s to about 7 in the early 1980s. Jordanian women appear to marry later than they did 10 years ago. In 1976 the singulate mean age at marriage was about 22 whereas in 1983 it was nearly 24. There has however been very little increase in levels of contraceptive use only about 1/4 of married Jordanian women use some birth control method. However almost 2/3 of those who do use a method rely on the pill or the IUD. Analysis of the proximate determinants of fertility reveals that Jordans recent fertility decline is due mainly to later marriage not to increased contraceptive use. In addition the mean duration between births is about 2 years a pattern of close spacing that may have a serious health impact on women and their babies. (authors modified)