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Regional variation in the age-specific natural fertility curve

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 July 2008

Warren C. Robinson
Affiliation:
Population Issues Research Centre, Pennsylvania State University, USA

Summary

This paper examines the question of whether there are consistent regional variations in the level and shape of the age-specific natural fertility curve using data for 45 less-developed countries drawn from a recent US Census Bureau compilation. In general there do not appear to be such variations. A remarkably consistent age pattern of natural fertility emerges, once the rates have been normalized and an adjustment made for age at first exposure to the risk of pregnancy. The results strongly support Coale's original natural fertility paradigm.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1987

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