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Recent fertility patterns and population policy in South Africa 1

1997; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 14; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/03768359708439947

1470-3637

Orieji Chimere‐Dan,

Family Dynamics and Relationships

This study presents estimated levels of age-specific fertility (ASF) and P/F ratios in South Africa, by selected characteristics for the African population. Data were obtained from the nationwide 1993 Living Standards Survey and adjusted to reflect ASF. The national total fertility rate (TFR) was 3.7 children/woman, or significantly higher than the 2.9 estimated by the 1994 October Household Survey. Fertility was highest in Northern Province (4.5). Three other provinces had over 4.0 TFR: Free State, Eastern Cape, and North-West. The lowest fertility was in Western Cape (2.3) followed by Gauteng (2.9). Whites had the lowest rates; Africans had the highest rates. Fertility declined for Africans and Indians. Fertility was associated with residence, age, and work status, and did not differ by residence for Africans. Differences between African and White fertility were in the timing of the start, peak, and termination of childbearing. Peak childbearing was 20-24 years for Africans and older ages for Whites and others. Adolescent childbearing among Africans was high in 4 regions and 2 provinces. Fertility declined among women aged over 30 years and rose among younger women. Fertility decline in any age group was not apparent in Venda and Bophuthatswana. Nonmarital fertility rose for all but the oldest childbearing ages. Fertility did not decline among well educated women aged under 40 years. Over 50% of African women in peak childbearing ages had never been married and had at least 1 baby. Fertility decline has slowed due to nonmarital childbearing and increased childbearing in the peak ages.