The family planning programme and its effect on fertility in Pakistan

Abstract

This study attempts to analyse the impact of the family planning programme on fertility in Pakistan during 1976-85. Data on family planning acceptors were obtained from the Population Welfare Division, Government of Pakistan. Secondary data from the 1975 Pakistan Fertility Survey, the 1981 Census and the 1984 Contraceptive Prevelance Survey have been used for estimating the family planning programme effect on fertility. The estimated contraceptive use on the basis of service statistics has been compared with survey results. A brief comparison has also been made between the last decade (1975-85) and the first decade (1965-75) of the programme operation in terms of contraceptive use. Areas of further investigation are also identified for generating the data required for adequate monitoring of the family planning programme and its effect on fertility. Indirect estimates of contraceptive use have also been derived using bivariate regression between the reported contraceptive use and the values of the "m" parameter for 26 countries. The values of "m" were obtained by Coale and Trussell's method. These values signify deliberate fertility control in a population at a particular period in time. The indirectly estimated contraceptive use levels are found to be consistent (around 20 per cent) and on the basis of this analysis, are judged to be more accurate than the levels reported in surveys (5 to 10 percent)