The persistence of high fertility in Nepal

Abstract

For a number of years, the fertility level has remained high in Nepal. The government-supported family planning programme began in the late 1960s and expanded comparatively rapidly in the mid-1970s. But the use of contraception had not been widespread; consequently, levels of fertility remained unchanged at a high level. The low level of contraceptive prevalence and lack of fertility differentials suggest that Nepal, being a traditional society and economically having had little development to make any impression on the fertility level, is in a 'pre-demographic transition' phase.

This study analyses the reproductive behaviour of Nepalese women and in particular examines marriage and contraceptive use patterns in an attempt to identify the prime determinants of the persistence of high levels of fertility. It is based primarily on data from two surveys: the Nepal Fertility Survey(NFS), 1976 and the Nepal Contraceptive Prevalence Survey(CPS), 1981. Analysis of marriage and fertility was based on the data from the former survey and analysis of contraceptive use on data from the latter. Both these surveys are nationally representative sample surveys.

The analysis revealed a number of important findings which, Partly at least, explained the sustained high fertility in Nepal. They are: high child and infant mortality; social customs which encourage early and universal marriage and a large family size with a strong preference for sons; low level of contraceptive prevalence due to limited knowledge of and access to family planning service outlet; and lack of socio-economic development activities. To alleviate the economic and social problems resulting from rapid population growth requires not only a strong family planning programme but also other socio-economic measures if lower fertility levels are to be achieved in Nepal.