Introduction

Originally published in 1983, this book examines the problems of fertility in predicting population trends. It varies a great deal according to mothers’ ages, ethnic groups, place and time. It is important for demographers, planners and policy-makers to know precisely what fertility differences are, what gives rise to them and how they can be handled and predicted statistically. This volume discusses these challenges in detail and analyses information to show how factors like religion, place of birth and socio-economic grouping affect fertility.