Against the background of the fertility decline in South Africa in recent years, the present study aimed at understanding the factors that shape South African women’s general childbearing aspirations. Specifically, it sought to examine the effect of selected sociodemographic factors on the fertility aspirations of two groups of reproductive-aged women in South Africa, 15–34 years (younger women) and 35–49 years (older women). The results showed that being black African, having at least secondary-level education, urban residence, being employed and increased parity significantly determined women’s intentions for children, regardless of the age cohort. Belonging to a ‘richer’ wealth index category and living in a household of three or more people significantly determined fertility intentions for younger women, while cohabitation significantly determined fertility intentions for older women. The study also found that urban residence and increased parity significantly reduced fertility indecision for younger women only. Implications for policy interventions are discussed.

中文翻译：

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南非育龄妇女生育意愿的决定因素：2016年人口与健康调查的证据

在近年来南非生育率下降的背景下，本研究旨在了解影响南非妇女普遍生育意愿的因素。具体而言，它试图研究选定的社会人口统计学因素对南非两组生育年龄分别为15-34岁（年轻妇女）和35-49岁（老年妇女）的生育愿望的影响。结果表明，黑人非洲人，至少具有中等教育水平，有城市居住权，被雇用且受雇人数增加，这显着决定了妇女对儿童的意图，而不论年龄组。属于“较富裕”的财富指数类别，并且居住在三人或三人以上的家庭中，这极大地决定了年轻女性的生育意愿，同居显着决定了老年妇女的生育意愿。该研究还发现，城市居住和增加的均价仅显着降低了年轻女性的生育能力优柔寡断。讨论了对政策干预的影响。