Abstract
Abstract Although natural fertility has become a fundamental concept in demographic analysis, its definition is still frequently misunderstood. Some of this confusion stems from the fairly widespread but mistaken notion that natural fertility is solely or largely determined by biological factors. While biological factors are indeed crucial determinants of natural fertility, a number of behaviours are also very important (Leridon, 1977). Louis Henry (1972) identified the key role of breastfeeding and post-partum abstinence in lengthening birth intervals and reducing the rate of reproduction. And, of course, the frequency of intercourse affects natural fertility. If one considers overall natural fertility as measured by the total fertility rate, then age at marriage, marital disruption, and remarriage also become non-biological determinants. Behaviour clearly matters, and this paper will examine its role by discussing the relative contributions of biological and behavioural factors affecting natural fertility. More specifically, it will apply a simple reproductive model to quantify the relative effects of biological and behavioural determinants of levels and differentials in natural fertility.
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