Fertility estimates for Sri Lanka: derived from the 1981 census

Trends in total fertility rates (TFRs) and in age specific birth rates for all women and for currently married women in Sri Lanka for 1966-80 were estimated by applying the own children method to a 19% sample of the 1981 census. In addition the Coale-Trussel m index of marital fertility control was computed. This method makes it possible to estimate the extent to which contraception is used to limit family size when direct measures are unavailable. Index values of 0 are equivalent to natural fertility and values of 1 indicate a high level of contraception. Fertility estimates were made for the country as whole for each district for the urban and rural populations for women of different educational levels and for different ethnic and religious subgroups. Both the TFR and the marital total fertility rate (MTFR) declined between 1966-80 from about 5.0-3.5 and from 6.5-5.0 respectively. The decline was steepest between 1968 and the early 1970s. This marked decline occurred during the initial years of nationwide coverage by the countrys family planning program. In the mid-1960s rural and urban TFRs were similar but in subsequent years the rate declined more rapidly in urban areas than in rural areas. In 1980 the TFR was 2.8 for urban women and 3.8 for rural women. This difference was attributable only in part to a greater increase in age at marriage in urban areas compared to rural areas. For the estate population which is composed primarily of Indian Tamils fertility rates were generally lower than those for the country as a whole and for other rural groups through the early 1970s. Since 1974 both the TFR and MTFR increased and by 1980 the rates were similar for the estate and rural population. A decrease in the duration of breastfeeding may have contributed to the increased rates since 1974. For the country as a whole a downward trend in birth rates was observed for all age groups during the 1966-80 period. Values of the m index for the nation as a whole for the urban population for the rural population and for the estate population were respectively . 60 . 72 . 57 and . 67 for 1966-70; . 68 . 84 . 64 and . 64 for 1971-75; and . 77 . 88 . 74 and . 72 for 1976-80. Education strongly and negatively influenced fertility. In the late 1960s urban and rural fertility within each education category was similar but by 1980 urban fertility was considerably lower than rural fertility for all educational groups. Urban m values were higher than rural m values for all education groups throughout the 1966-80 period. There were considerable fertility differences between religious and ethnic groups. Between 1960-80 fertility declined for all religious groups and m values increased for all the groups. Throughout the period TFRs were lowest and m values were highest for Christians. The Muslim population had the highest fertility rates and the lowest m values. Hindu and Buddhist fertility rates and m values fell between those of the Christians and Muslims; however Buddhist fertility declined more than Hindu fertility between 1966-80. For ethnic groups fertility trends among the Moors were similar to those for the Muslim groups while trends among the Tamils were similar to those observed for the Hindus. Trends among the Sinhalese were similar to those for Buddhists. There were considerable differences in fertility rates age at marriage and m values for the districts. The results of the study were presented in detailed tables graphs and maps.