Fertility and family planning in Huaibei plain, Anhui province, China 1982

Abstract

This thesis falls naturally into two parts . The first part is concerned with the level and trend of fertility in Huaibei Plain, Anhui province , China since 1950 and the second with the examination of some determinants of fertility decline . It makes use of data from the 1/1000 Survey of China which was conducted by the Family Planning Commission in 1982. The data used in this thesis are for one area in Anhui province , China , namely Huaibei Plain. In the first part , fertility transition in Huaibei Plain is examined . It is found that the greatest decline in marital fertility occurred among women aged 35+ under the influence of the family planning program. In the second part , some determinants of fertility decline are examined. Fertility decline among younger women (under age 30) is largely due to later age at marriage . Consequently , the nuptiality pattern of Huaibei Plain has changed from an early and universal marriage to a later and universal marriage pattern. Examination of current use of contraception suggests that the family planning program, in particular , the one - child policy (1979) , has been the major determinant in fertility decline. Fertility decline among older women (35+) is primarily due to contraceptive practice . The influence of the one-child policy is so strong that it has almost eliminated the differentials in contraceptive use by education and occupation under certain circumstances ; for example , for women who are under age 45 and have more than two children. Show more