The World Fertility Survey: Policy Implications for Developing Countries

Abstract

The World Fertility Survey (WFS) has been able to contribute to policy making on fertility family planning maternal and child health and general health planning by collecting data on these topics. Population policies sometimes have been affirmed or modified because of new and better fertility information; in Haiti WFS data have led the government to recognize the need for a new population policy. WFS data on various national subgroups help planners and administrators know who will require special attention where needs are greatest who will be most receptive to program efforts and where a programs impact will be most cost effective. Policy makers in nations at a very low level of development should keep in mind the educational threshold level observed in WFS analyses. However conclusions about the effect of education on fertility are limited because WFS data do not explore factors such as educational content or quality. Other WFS contributions to the study of fertility trends are: 1) as contraceptive use especially in developing countries becomes an increasingly important determinant of fertility the impact of womens education on fertility may increase; 2) fertility is lower among women from urban areas than among those from rural areas; 3) while much contraceptive use in developing countries is to limit births a substantial minority of users in most countries want another child; 4) lack of knowledge about contraceptives is concentrated mostly among rural women and the least educated; 5) almost all women in developing countries marry and most begin their married life earlier than do women in industrialized countries; and 6) a babys chances of dying in infancy or childhood are higher if the baby is born within 2 years of an older brother or sister. Overall national surveys and major international efforts like the WFS can contribute greatly in implementing and monitoring changes occurring in the provision of health care and family planning.