Differing levels of Fertility of Iraqi women and the Factors affecting them

Abstract

The development of fertility for Iraqi women, refers to the decline in recent decades, although the its rate is still high. This trend is similar with what is happening in the Arab countries and developing countries despite the relative difference in time between those countries to enter the stages of fertility decline. Many variables with mutual influences have contributed in this direction: social, economic, demographic and political variables which are divided into the following subdivisions: the status of women, education, occupation, religion, marriage ,the age structure, migration, mortality, war and population policy. Some of these variables contributed in the fertility decline and other delays the decline. Since the Iraqi State does not give only limited importance to the population problem so there is a need to adopt an explicit population policy to reduce the fertility rate to a minimum this will contribute to support the process of social- economic development. The geographical distribution of fertility by rural, urban areas and provinces refers to the existence of disparities between them. Differing development of social, economic, education, health and services structure have contributed in this disparity. Despite the criticism of the theory of demographic transition, could benefit from it even partially to explain the decline in fertility of Iraqi women. According to this theory, we consider Iraq is passing through the second stage of demographic transition.