Enduring Economic Hardship: How Poverty Shapes Fertility in Tanzania

This study investigates the impact of poverty on fertility among women in the Ubungo district of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Utilizing a cross-sectional design, the research focuses on women of reproductive age (15-49 years). Data werecollected via questionnaires from 96 respondents selected through stratified and simple random sampling. The analysis encompassed both descriptive statistics—mean, standard deviation, frequencies, and percentages—and econometric analysis using probit regression and Zero Inflated Poisson (ZIP) models. The first objective examined the determinants of poverty through the probit model, revealing significant influences from factors such as age, household size, employment status, access to nutritious food, and healthcare services. The second objective assessed the effect of poverty on fertility using the ZIP model, highlighting significant correlations with age, education level, marital status, employment status, and access to family planning services. These findings underscore the intricate relationship between poverty and fertility, offering critical insights for policy interventions aimed at improving the socioeconomic conditions of women in Tanzania.