Explaining an African Fertility Mystery: Below Replacement Fertility in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Dennis Hogan, Brown University
Amson Sibanda, Brown University
David Lindstrom, Brown University
Zewdu Woubalem, Brown University

The total fertility rate in 2000 was 5.9 children per woman in the whole of Ethiopia and 1.9 children per woman in Addis Ababa. A striking aspect of the apparent fertility decline in Addis Ababa is that it occurred in the absence of any policy decisions instituted at the national level that could account for such a dramatic fall in fertility. There are no comprehensive family planning programs organized by the government. Is the decline in fertility due to contraceptives provided by private organizations and markets? Findings from this study indicate that a decline in fertility in Addis Ababa in fact did occur, but to less of an extent than the recorded TFR in the DHS. Individuals and couples in Addis Ababa are delaying marriage and postponing births, accounting for the greatest part of the fertility decline, and have begun to use contraceptives.