An Analysis of the of Proximate Determinants of Fertility in Malawi, 1992-2004

Abstract

The paper examines trends in the proximate determinants of fertility in Malawi during the period 1992 to 2004 with the view of explaining the factors responsible for fertility decline in the country. The study uses the Malawi Demographic and Health Surveys of 1992, 2000 and 2004 and the Bongaarts model of Proximate Determinants. The analysis shows that there are increases in all three proximate determinants. The magnitude of change is greatest in contraceptive use, moderate in marriage but least in breastfeeding.
The study show that postpartum infecundability has a far more dominant inhibiting effect on fertility than the other two proximate fertility determinants.

EASSRR Vol. 24 (1) 2008: pp. 15-40