Malawi 2015-16

Trends: Since 1992, the proportion of births wanted
at the time of conception has remained relatively
constant at about 6 in 10 births (55-60%). However,
the proportion of births that were mistimed or
unwanted has fluctuated. Mistimed births fell from
27% in 1992 to 18-21% between 2000 and 2010,
before rising to 30% in 2015-16. Relative to
mistimed births, unwanted births experienced an
inverse trend, rising from 14% in 1992 to 26% in
2010, before decreasing to 11% in 2015-16 (Figure
6.5).
Patterns by background characteristics
• The more children a woman has, the more likely
1992 2000 2004 2010 2015-16
it is that her last birth was unwanted. Two
percent of first births were unwanted, compared with 7% of third births and 25% of fourth or higher
order births (Table 6.5).
• The percentage of births that were unwanted increases with the mother’s age, ranging from 3% of
births to women less than age 20 to 53% of births to women age 45-49.
• The percentage of births that were mistimed decreases with the mother’s age, ranging from 38% of
births to women less than age 20 to 11% of births to women age 45-49.
6.4 WANTED FERTILITY RATES
Figure 6.5 Trends in fertility planning
status
59 60 60
Wanted fertility rate
The number of children the average woman would have over the course of her
lifetime if she bore children at current age-specific fertility rates, excluding
unwanted births. A birth is considered wanted if the number of living children
at the time of conception is lower than the ideal number of children currently
reported by the respondent.
Sample: Births to women age 15-49 during the 3 years before the survey
27
14
Percent distribution of births to women
age 15-49 in 5 years preceeding the
survey
22 20
55
26
18 21 19
wanted then
59
wanted later
30
11
not wanted
at all
The wanted fertility rate reflects the level of fertility
that would result if all unwanted births were
prevented. The wanted fertility rate in Malawi is 3.4
children, compared with the actual total fertility rate
of 4.4 children (Table 6.6). Thus, on average,
women in Malawi are currently having one child
more than they want.
Trends: The total wanted fertility rate in Malawi has
declined from 5.7 children in 1992 to 3.4 children in
2015-16. However, the gap between wanted and
actual fertility has remained relatively constant over
time (Figure 6.6).
Patterns by background characteristics
Figure 6.6 Trends in wanted and actual
fertility
Wanted and actual number of children per woman
6.7
1.0
5.7
6.3
1.1
6.0
1.1
5.7
1.2
5.2 4.9 4.5
4.4 TFR
1.0
3.4
1992 2000 2004 2010 2015-16
Difference
Total
wanted
fertility
• The total wanted fertility rate is consistently lower than the actual total fertility rate, although the size
of the gap varies by women’s background characteristics (Table 6.6).
86 • Fertility Preferences