Religious Differentials in Fertility: Lebanon, 1971

Abstract

Research has been conduted to determine define and explain the effects of religious affiliation on fertility with specific reference to a multireligious society. Data from the 1971 National Fertility and Family Planning Survey conducted by the Lebanon Family Planning Association have been evaluated and 2 major results have been found i.e. significant fertility differences do exist among Muslim and Christian sects and religious fertility differentials based on cumulative fertility are dependent on the level of socioeconomic status as measured by the wifes education. When education levels are low differentials are great; when education levels are high religious fertility differentials are negligible. These results suggest that religion may be an important characteristic in differentiating fertility behavior but only at certain socioeconomic levels. In countries where religious composition is a sensitive issue these results may have significant implications on population policymakers.