The effect of postponement on fertility rates in the region

As observed in chapter II, the sharp drop in fertility in the region over the past decade is closely linked with the decline in fertility among adolescent and young women. In the literature, declining fertility is associated with longer deferral or postponement of motherhood among those age groups. This chapter focuses on the implementation of demographic methods to measure the effect of postponement on the period total fertility rate (the “tempo effect”). It also includes an analysis of the decline in cohort fertility to evaluate the extent to which postponement may affect the total number of live births at the end of the childbearing period.

Sustainable Development Goals:

Decent Work and Economic Growth

Reduced Inequalities