ABSTRACT

This study is aimed to analyse the levels, trends and differentials of fertility in Nigeria. The study measured fertility levels in terms of the crude birth rates, total fertility rates and general fertility rates. It is expected that the findings will enhance the understanding of the dynamic of fertility and perhaps enhance the implementation of some socio-economic policies related to problem of fertility level control. The result show that Nigeria is experiencing a hig fertility level and study on fertility differentials identified that women with little or no education, women who resides in the rural areas and women who resides in the Northern part of Nigeria to have higher fertility levels than their counterparts who had some education, live in urban areas or other regions. The age pattern of fertility, it will be observed that 23% of the surveyed women aged 15 — 19 which is the adolescence age group have already begun childbearing and the mean age of childbearing among women 29 years. It is hoped that these findings will be useful to government, international organizations and Non-governmental organization in implementation of intervention policies and programmes necessary to secure reduction of fertility levels among women in Nigeria by identifying the socio-economic factors that contributes to the high fertility levels.

TABLE OF CONTENT

Cover Page

Title Page ii

Certification iii

Dedication iv

Acknowledgement v

Table of Content vi

Abstract vii

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Introduction 1

1.1 Background of the study

1.2 Statement of Problem 2

1.3 Rationale of Study 2

1.4 Aims and Objectives 2

1.5 Scope of Study 2

1.6 Source of Data 3

1.7 Method of Analysis 3

1.8 Definition of Terms 3

1.9 Plan of work 4

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 Literature Review 5

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 Background Characteristics of Respondent 7

3.1 Introduction 7

3.2 Current Age 7

3.3 Marital Status 8

3.4 Educational Status 9

3.5 Employment Status 10

3.6 Place of Residence 10

3.7 Region of Residence II

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 Levels, Trends and Differentials of fertility 12

4.1 Introduction 12

4.2 Fertility Level 12

4.2.1 Crude Birth Rate 12

4.2.2 General Fertility Rate 13

4.2.3 Total Fertility Rate 14

4.2.4 Age Pattern of Fertility 15

4.3 Fertility Trend 17

4.4 Fertility Differentials 19

4.4.1 Fertility and Place of Residence 19

4.4.2 Fertility and Region of Residence 20

4.4.3 Fertility and Level of Education 20

4.5 Fertility level in Nigeria and other ECO WAS Countries 21

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 Summary, Recommendation and Conclusion 22

5.1 Summary 22

5.2 Conclusion 22

5.3 Recommendation 22

REFERENCES 24

APPENDIX 26