Social and Economic Factors Affecting Ethnic Fertility Differentials in Malawi

Martin E. Palamuleni, North-West University, South Africa

This paper examines the ethnic differentials in fertility in Malawi using data from the 2000 and 2004 Malawi Demographic and Health surveys. Fertility was estimated for each ethnic group using various procedures; multiple regressions were employed to gauge factors responsible for ethnic differentials in fertility in the country. Although all ethnic groups in Malawi exhibit high fertility (TFR >= 5) the existing differentials are such that the Chewa and Sena (TFR >= 7) could be said to exhibit high fertility; the Mkonde, Tumbuka, Tonga and Lomwe could be categorized as having low fertility; and the rest of the ethnic groups in Malawi could be categorized as moderate. The results of regression analyses are consistent with a cultural hypothesis since significant fertility differentials remain even after controlling for socioeconomic and demographic variables. Policy implications and recommendations for future directions in fertility research in Malawi are discussed.