Differentials in fertility, family planning practice, and family size values in South Korea, 1965-1971

Abstract

Data from five Korean national KAP surveys of currently married women, conducted between 1965 and 1971, are analyzed to determine whether differentials have emerged or are emerging between urban and rural women in three factors of crucial importance for population growth: fertility, family planning practice, and family size values. Graphics are used throughout to analyze urban-rural differentials and trends in these factors over time. In addition, two statistical tests, the sign and binomial, are applied to the differentials to provide a tabular summary of results. Part I provides background information on population growth, urbanization, the achievements of the national family planning program, and economic development in Korea since the 1950's. Part II describes both urban-rural differentials in fertility, as measured by mean parity, for married women aged 30-39 between 1966 and 1971; and urban-rural differentials in the proportions of women aged 25-39 currently practicing family planning between 1965 and 1971. Part III analyzes urban-rural differences in ideal family size and ideal number of sons, controlling for number of living children and number of living sons. Part IV attempts to evaluate the impact of the national family planning program on the fertility, family planning practice, and family size values of the rural population by examining the findings on urban-rural differentials in the context of social and economic development, viewing the program as one of a multitude of variables that can affect these factors.