The association between internal migration and teenage fertility control: A South African study

Abstract

This study investigated the association between internal migration, as a form of residential mobility, and teenage fertility in South Africa. Data were from the 2001 and 2011 South African censuses, n ₂₀₀₁ = 335 065 and n ₂₀₁₁ = 316 640, age range 12 to 19, black teenagers= 83.5% and 84.3%, respectively. Results showed that between 2001 and 2011 residential mobility increased by 12%. The teenage fertility rate significantly decreased from 47 to 39 births per 1 000 12-19-year-old females between the same period. In both years teenage fertility was at higher levels among girls that were older, employed, double orphans, and who had no schooling. Random-intercept multilevel binary logistic regression revealed that the risk of teenage fertility independently decreased as the level of residential mobility increased in communities. The protective effect of residential mobility on the risk of teenage fertility remained in 2011 but was approximately halved in magnitude compared to the effect in 2001. Findings suggest residential mobility has a protective nature that assists with teenage fertility control, and are consistent with the residential move social capital hypothesis about households that migrate to areas with better opportunities for teenagers.