Abstract

PIP: This study on the ideal family size in Arab countries, is based on the findings of the World Fertility Survey led in 8 Arab countries (Egypt, 1980; Jordan, 1976; Morocco, 1980; Mauritania, 1981; Sudan, 1979; Syria, 1978; Tunisia, 1978; and Arab Republic of Yemen, 1979). During these surveys, a questionnaire was presented to a specimen of 2,500 to 8,500 women, 1st to married and fertile women, then to childless or pregnant women. The study of the responses shows that a great majority of Arab women desire a large family. Less than 20% of them do not want to have another child in the future in Mauritania, Sudan, and Yemen; between 37% and 53% in the 5 other countries. The total number of children wanted is 4.9 in Morocco, 5.4 in Yemen, 6.1 in Sudan, 6.3 in Jordan and Syria, and 8.7 in Mauritania. Women prefer to have boys rather than girls. In Egypt and Tunisia, respectively, 83% and 66% do not want to have another child when there are as many boys as girls in the family. As expected, the more children a woman has, the less she wants to have another one. The more women use contraception and modern contraceptives, the less they want another child. Of the women who do not want another child, 67% are using contraception in Tunisia, 65% in Egypt, 50% in Syria, Morocco, and Jordan, but 25% in Sudan, 17% in Yemen, and 15% in Mauritania. The transition from natural fertility to planned fertility is very slow in Mauritania, Yemen, and Sudan, while Syria and Jordan present the beginning of an evolution. The decline of fertility is faster in Egypt, Tunisia, and Morocco. In Arab countries, the weight of the traditional patriarchal family, and the lack of education and social opportunities for women is slowing down demographic transition.