Source: JAMAICA OBSERVER: THE Reproductive Health Survey, Jamaica, 2021, conducted for the National Family Planning Board, has confirmed that the country’s total fertility rate (TFR) dipped below 2.1 for the first time in over 50 years — with the national rate now at 1.9, the same as the island’s rural areas. The Kingston Metropolitan Area reported a total fertility rate of 2.2, one that is higher than the national rate; meanwhile, other urban centers are lower at 1.8.
Women 25 to 29 years accounted for the only spike in age-specific fertility rate. It could be argued that they were pursuing their education and delaying childbirth. All other age cohorts — 15 to 24 and 30 to 44 years — had declines.
To have the best possible birth outcome for mother and child, the peak fertility period is a woman’s late teens to late 20s. Fertility or reproductive potential to begins to decline in the mid-30s and dips rapidly as the quantity and quality of a woman’s eggs decline and impact their viability. Health problems such as high blood pressure and birth defects also factor as she ages.
Notwithstanding this short window within which to bear children safely, women realizing the demands children will place on them have been opting to pursue further education, grow their income, amass material goods, have independence, and then start a family. Education for many is a way out of poverty, and it is not uncommon to hear such that they are the first one in their family to get a high school or university education.
The higher the educational attainment, the lower women’s fertility, suggests the data — locally, women with less than secondary education have a TFR of 3.5, which is almost twice the national rate. Secondary and tertiary educational attainment were 2.1 and 1.6, respectively. Additionally, women with less than secondary education had three to four times more children than those with a tertiary education.
Recognizing their worth and identifying with their role in society, more women are exercising their reproductive right to decide the timing, number and spacing of their births for their own best interest, the child’s and the wider family.
Dianne Thomas is the director, communication and public relations at the National Family Planning Board.
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
Only dunce, uneducated people both women and men have a bunch of kids … people of class and high education usually have no more than 3 kids if that much .. but poor people with low income have plenty
Or what educated women know about West Indian men ??
Comments are closed.