Female Occupation and Fertility in Ghana, 2008

Abstract

Female occupation is very crucial in this contemporary era where there exist several advocacy groups calling for involvement of women in decision making at all levels and particularly at the time where economic hardship has considerably reduced men’s ability to take on the breadwinner’s role. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between female occupation and fertility in Ghana. The levels of fertility for the various categories of occupation are derived through the use of data from the 2008 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey. Univariate and bivariate analysis in the form of percentages and means are used in the study to examine how female occupation relates to fertility. Multiple linear regression analysis is used to independently analyse the impact of occupation and place of work on fertility and again analyse the impact while controlling for other socio-economic and demographic factors. This analysis shows that women in professional / technical / managerial and clerical category of occupation have less number of children than those in other types of occupation. Women in agricultural works are also found to have the highest number of children. The study has also found that other factors such as education, marital status, wealth index, age and place of residence significantly influence women’s fertility. Nevertheless, while types of occupation influence females’ fertility, occupation in general does not. As explained by high fertility of women engaged in agricultural works. According to the findings of studies examined, women’s education especially at secondary and higher levels reduces reproductive period in marriage, impart new values, and enables them have knowledge on contraceptive methods and thereby lowering fertility. Besides, it has also been found that women working in rural areas have higher fertility than those in urban areas. The study recommended the encouragement of more women to be engaged in occupations that require secondary and higher education to reduce fertility in the country through facilitating the enrolment of more females into schools among others.