The demand for children in Anambra State of Nigeria: A logit analysis

Abstract

This paper provides empirical evidence on the determinants of demand for children in Anambra State of Nigeria. To achieve this, a micro framework was adopted and cross sectional data explored. Logistics regression technique was used for the data analysis and the factors identified as strong predictors of demand for children include wife's level of participation in decision-making, occupation, place of residence, husband's education among others. Surprisingly, wife's education is among the weak predictors. This supports the assumption that female education is a necessary but not sufficient condition to guarantee fertility decline. Cultural inertia may account for this, considering its adverse consequence on women's access to productive resources and level of participation in decision-making.