Factori asociați cu nivelul scăzut al fertilității în Republica Moldova

Abstract

The article presents a multivariate analysis of the groups of factors with an impact on the number of children born in the Republic of Moldova. Based on the Gender and Generations Survey conducted in Moldova in 2020, a total sample of 2705 women aged 15-49 years who gave birth to at least one child was selected. Using the binomial logistic regression method, the determinant factors of low levels of fertility were identified. The results showed that the place of residence, level of education, ever using contraceptives, age at first marriage, age at first birth, woman's work status, marital status of women, and the ideal number of children, were significant determinants of the number of children ever born. Women's sociodemographic characteristics showed a low contribution in the prediction of having two children and more: the urban place of residence, higher level of education, late age of mother at first birth, late age at first marriage, the ideal number of children in the family (up to two children), unmarried women, employed women. Orientation of policies to support couples in general and women, in particular, is necessary by combining the activity of raising children with a professional one, women with higher education, families with one child and employed women, and formation of public opinion regarding family planning. The article was elaborated within the State Program Project (2020-2023) 20.80009.0807.21 „Migration, demographic changes, and situation stabilization policies”.