Differentiation and Dynamics of Fertility in Kazakhstan during the Period of Rapid Economic Growth

Abstract

The main purpose of presented research was to identify changes in levels and patterns of fertility during the period of rapid economic growth in Kazakhstan (1999-2008). Particular attention was devoted to differentiation of fertility according to the type of settlement (urban/rural) and ethnicity. These leading attributes were completed by birth parity which helped to examine and explain the nature of some principal differences in reproductive behaviour among women living in rural and urban areas as well as belonging to selected major ethnic groups of Kazakhstan. Presented results clearly demonstrate principal increase of the overall intensity of fertility, partially due to mass realization of the births postponed during the 1990s. Their realization not only contributed to reproductive process intensification but also principally influenced different fertility patterns. The initial age structure of fertility faced both-sided ageing, differences among ethnoses and both types of settlement in many respects deepened. Situation observed in the year 2008 or in some cases in the year 2006 was labeled as transitional since many structural changes have not finished yet and some of them have only just started. It is suggested that particular identified trends could also represent a part of global changes in...

The main purpose of presented research was to identify changes in levels and patterns of fertility during the period of rapid economic growth in Kazakhstan (1999-2008). Particular attention was devoted to differentiation of fertility according to the type of settlement (urban/rural) and ethnicity. These leading attributes were completed by birth parity which helped to examine and explain the nature of some principal differences in reproductive behaviour among women living in rural and urban areas as well as belonging to selected major ethnic groups of Kazakhstan. Presented results clearly demonstrate principal increase of the overall intensity of fertility, partially due to mass realization of the births postponed during the 1990s. Their realization not only contributed to reproductive process intensification but also principally influenced different fertility patterns. The initial age structure of fertility faced both-sided ageing, differences among ethnoses and both types of settlement in many respects deepened. Situation observed in the year 2008 or in some cases in the year 2006 was labeled as transitional since many structural changes have not finished yet and some of them have only just started. It is suggested that particular identified trends could also represent a part of global changes in...