Impact of Infant and Child Mortality on Fertility in Kenya.

Ezekiel N. Ngure, Population Studies and Research Institute, University of Nairobi

Fertility and mortality are the two important factors that contribute to population growth in developing countries. This study investigates the degree to which changes in infant and child mortality contributes to levels in fertility. Data from 1998, 2003, 2008 and 2014 Kenya Demographic Health Surveys were used. Ordinary Least Squares and Two Stage Least Squares were used to estimate direct effects of infant/child death(s) on fertility and replacement rate respectively. Replacement rate was found to be positively related to attainment of education, Infant/child death(s) and type of place of residence. There exist direct effects of infant/child death(s) on fertility. Women who experienced infant/child death(s) had a higher number of children ever born. Replacement rate for the period of 1993 to 2014 declined from 0.3 to 0.15. Programmes advocating for girl child education (especially higher education), contraceptive use and higher age at first marriage should be initiated and/or strengthened.