Fertility in Iraq: Trends, Developments, and Influential Factors

Abstract

This study investigates the changes in fertility rates in Iraq, keeping in mind social, economic, and political changes, and the internal and external wars witnessed in the country, and which necessarily impact patterns of fertility and development. The study also looks at the geographic distribution of fertility across urban and rural areas and the regions, and the causes for variations in distribution, if possible, and varying factors that have determined patterns of fertility, such as family size, the status of women, education, occupation, religion, war, and population policy. The theory of demographic transformation has been used to make the analysis and draw conclusions. Comparisons are made between different Arab countries, developing countries, and advanced countries to reveal areas of similarity and difference in the development of fertility and the factors that influence it.