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Abstract

The influence of child mortality on fertility in various geo- cultural regions is probably one of the most widely controversial issues in current demographic debate. Some demographers assert that child mortality and fertility are directly related, whether on a micro (individual) level or a macro (societal) level. Others may argue otherwise. But there is a factual base for the debate in that there have been a number of factual studies showing the impact of prior child loss on an individual's subsequent fertility.

However, though several studies have postulated interrelationship between mortality and fertility, there is no firm evidence that mortality reductions automatically changes childbearing attitudes and levels of fertility.

According to the Demographic Transition Theory, as mortality declines from high to intermediate levels and fertility is sustained at its high level, the growth rate will increase. As soon as mortality moves from the intermediate levels to low levels, fertility begins to respond to the fall in mortality and the rate of population growth is reduced.

Today, child mortality in most of the developing countries is at an intermediate level, while that of the developed countries is at a low level. Egypt, as a developing country, moving through the stage of the demographic transition, faces the same population dilemma which is largely the result of birth rates failing to respond to death rate decline.

Publication Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Subjects:	Q Science > QA Mathematics
Departments:	School of Science & Technology > Department of Mathematics School of Science & Technology > School of Science & Technology Doctoral Theses Doctoral Theses

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