Determinants of Desired and Actual Number of Children and the Risk of having more than Two Children in Ghana and Nigeria

Abstract

This paper investigates the levels and determinants of desired and actual number of children, and the risk of having more than two children in Ghana and Nigeria using 2013 and 2014 Demographic Health Survey (DHS) conducted in the two countries, respectively. The question is whether the rate of childbearing in sub-Saharan African countries can be slowed down by changes in fertility demand-driven factors such as economic, socio-cultural and family planning programs. Our analysis results showed that these two countries are yet to adopt replacement level policy. Thus, putting every socio-demographic conditions that support fertility in place, these sub-Saharan African countries will continue to increase average childbearing per household, particularly in the case of Nigeria. Thus, government could intervene in the area of education of mothers since this will delay the age at first birth and serve as avenue to orientate women on family planning measures.