Fertility Variations among Ethnic Groups in South Africa

The fertility rate is higher in the black African population than in other racial groups in South Africa. While previous studies have identified socio-economic factors influencing these differences, few have examined the role of ethnicity. This study's objective was, therefore, to estimate the level of fertility among ethnic groups and consider its determinants. This study used secondary data from a quantitative cross-sectional Community Survey collected by Statistics South Africa in 2016. A stratified random sampling method was used to select responses from 758,974 women, aged 15-49 years, from identified households. Data analysis utilised descriptive statistics and negative binomial regression. The results indicated that age-specific birth rates varied among these groups, leading to differences in birth rates. These differences persisted even after adjusting for other factors such as marital status, age, education, religious affiliation, and residence at the multivariate level. The study concluded that fertility rates differ between ethnic groups and therefore, policymakers should consider cultural issues when designing programmes to reduce the fertility rate of the country.