Abstract

PIP: Total fertility rate (TFR) does not reflect the quality of family planning work. Records support this opinion, showing that the TFR has fluctuated from year to year since 1979, but the percentage of families with 1 child is steadily increasing. Also, when the 11 regions of Lu county, China, are compared, it is found that there is no absolute and direct relationship between the TFR and the number of families with 1 child. The TFR is influenced by 2 factors: 1) The number of births (a larger number means a higher rate), and 2) the concentration of women of childbearing age (the greater the concentration, the higher the rate). Thus, the TFR is not a good indicator of success in family planning work.