Prevalence of Contraceptive Use in Developing Countries: A Chart Book

Abstract

This chartbook brings together information on the proportion of couples in developing countries currently using contraception by method of contraception used. For conparative purposes data on prevalence of contraceptive use are also presented for a few developed countries. There is an enormous range in the proportion of couples using contraception with many African countries having reported rates near 0 and several developing countries with rates around 70% e.g. China Taiwan Hong Kong and Singapore. Most developed countries have prevalence rates of 70% of more. In general sample surveys produce more accurate rates than do service statistics because 1) service statistics rarely include traditional methods and 2) problems increase over time in estimating continuing use among acceptors. The World Fertility Survey collected data on contraceptive prevalence in 41 developing countries between 1972 and 1984. The Contraceptive Prevalence Survey Program included 43 surveys in 33 countries from the mid-1970s to 1985. The Demographic and Health Surveys Project also funded by USAID is scheduled to include 35 surveys during a 5-year period starting in 1984. In addition a number of individual country surveys have been carried out. The appendix tables give reported prevalence rates from as many of these surveys as could be located. In addition a series of charts gives data on the prevalence rate and prevalence by contraceptive method for the latest time period available. Where data are available for an earlier time period pie charts are shown for 2 time periods.