Fertility differentials in two hamlets of Srijarjo, Yogyakarta

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to elaborate on the fertility differentials in Mojolama and Kedung Miri. These were two of the three hamlets in Sriharjo. It is a village located in the province of Yogyakarta Special Region, approximately eighteen kilometres to the south of Yogyakarta city. Based on the survey results done in Indonesia and in other developing countries, the relationship between fertility and economic class was not always the same. On one hand these two variables were negatively associated, but on the other hand it was positive. It is interesting that in Mojolama and Kedung Miri, although the socio-economic conditions were very different, the fertility level in those two hamlets was nearly the same. Compared to the fertility levels in the other provinces of Java, the fertility levels in Mojolama and Kedung Miri were lower. Factors associated with the lower levels of fertility in those two hamlets were mainly because the majority of women adopted the traditional methods of family planning, particularly abstinence and prolonged breastfeeding. However, based on the average number of desired family size which was higher compared with the average number of children still living, it can be expected that, in the future, fertility level will tend to be higher. Show more