An econometric study of some selected socio-demographic variables on fertility by age group

National Family Health survey (NFHS) 1992-23 data for currently married women aged 15 to 49 are utilized to examine the net and joint effect of socio- demographic factors of fertility behaviour in different reproductive age groups of 23 states of India by multiple linear regression analysis. The regression equation for a particular reproductive age group as for example age 20-24 is based on 23 observations each representing a single average value for a state. The purpose of this paper has been to study the inter-reproductive age group variation in fertility in relation to certain aspects of female status survival status of children and ever use of contraceptive method by currently married women. The fitted regression models explain 60 to 75 per cent of the variation in fertility behaviour of currently married women in their reproductive periods. The sign of regression coefficient are consistent with the general expectations. Of these three variables female status emerges as the single most important factor explaining inter age variation in fertility. Statistically significant relationships have been observed for median female age at marriage mean number of children dead and ever use of contraceptive method with fertility in reproductive age group (20-39). (excerpt)