Factors affecting fertility in Bangladesh

Among countries where there has not been a coercive government family planning program, Bangladesh is the poorest to have a total fertility rate fewer than five births per woman. Bangladesh has experienced a recent and steep decline in total fertility rate with a rate of 6.3 in 1971-75 to 3.8 in 1994-1996, and 2.7 in 2009. This study looks at fertility in Bangladesh and the implications of several determinants of fertility decline in this south Asian country. The components leading to this fertility decline are identified using an economic, noneconomic, and natural/manmade disaster theoretical framework. The results suggest that human development index advancement, increase in female literacy, increase in contraceptive prevalence, and gender-development progression are the most important mechanisms by which fertility has declined in Bangladesh.