ABSTRACT
PIP: Survey data from rural Bangladesh indicate that duration of marriage is the most significant proximate determinant of fertility. The survey, which was conducted in 1982-86, included respondents from 4 rural areas: 3369 women from Sirajgonj, 1043 from Gopalpur, 2396 from Abhoynagar, and 768 from Fultala. The sample was restricted to women 35-49 years of age who were still married to their 1st husband and had not experienced multiple births. The mean number of children born to respondents was 7.56 and the mean duration of marriage was 26.59 years. The proximate determinants used in the regression analysis--duration of marriage, duration of breastfeeding, duration of last birth interval, length of 2nd to last birth interval, proportion of children dead, duration of spouse separation, ever-use of contraception, duration of postpartum amenorrhea, use of modern contraception, and spouse separation--accounted for 30% of the observed variation in fertility, with the 1st 5 variables listed achieving statistical significance. The duration of marriage and proportion of children who died had significant effects on fertility in all 4 areas, while the duration of breastfeeding was significant only in Sirajgonj. Contraceptive usage was not a significant factor in any of the 4 areas. Since the mean age at marriage in Bangladesh is presently 14 years, any increases in this age should have a positive impact on producing fertility declines.^ieng
