Abstract
The analysis is based on individual 1996 TDHS data combined withaggregate data from the 1988 census and the 1991/1992 TDHS. When varioussources of spuriousness are taken into account, it is found that giving awoman more education reduces her fertility much less than suggested byunivariate tabulations of the total fertility rate. Expansion of primaryeducation contributes to only a slightly higher age at first birth, and theeffect on higher-order birth rates is not significant. Changes in post-partum insusceptibility outweigh those in fertility desires and use ofmodern contraception among women not wanting an additional child.Secondary school enrollment influences fertility more markedly, inparticular because of a later first birth. Effects of women's status areestimated in models for actual fertility as well as fertility desires, post-partum insusceptibility and contraceptive use, using up to six macro- ormicro-level indicators. All significant effects suggest that empowerment ofwomen will tend to push fertility down, net of education. The significantinteractions between women's status and education point in differentdirections, but a majority of them indicate that education has the mostpronounced effect on fertility in the more egalitarian regions and amongwomen with relatively high individual status.
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Kravdal, Ø. Main and Interaction Effects of Women's Education and Status on Fertility: The Case of Tanzania. European Journal of Population 17, 107–135 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010725506916
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010725506916