Reproductive preferences : a comparative view

Comparisons with data collected by the World Fertility Survey conducted a decade earlier allow us to trace recent trends in some of these preferences. First, fertility norms are examined, that is, the desired or ideal number of children. Then the report looks at reproductive intentions, in particular the proportion of women who want no more children, and some of the associated demographic and social factors. Next, spacing intentions are analyzed and an attempt is made to infer the preferred length of the next birth interval. Based on this information on reproductive preferences, desired fertility rates are then estimated, which are of special importance to an assessment of demographic implications. The report concludes by forecasting total fertility rates for each of the countries over the next five years. These forecasts are based on earlier research linking reproductive intentions with contraceptive prevalence and total fertility rates. (Author abstract)