Desired and real fertility in tropical Africa

The article analyzes the desired and real fertility in Tropical Africa at present. With the help of mathematical statistical methods it shows what socio-economic and socio-cultural factors have the strongest reducing effect on the desired fertility. Influence of the factors was examined on the cross-national sample including 40 countries and on micro-data for one country (Tanzania). The obtained results prove that the key factor impacting desired fertility is complete primary education of women closely followed by complete secondary education and residence in capital or big city.