Women’s education and religious beliefs are significant, yet frequently opposing, determinants affecting fertility rates in developing nations. Educated women typically demonstrate lower fertility rates, while women with less education and strong religious affiliations often show higher reproductive rates. The complex dynamics of this relationship remain insufficiently examined, particularly in contexts such as Benin, which is characterized by diverse religious environments. Moreover, research on the combined effects of religious affiliation and women’s education on reproductive outcomes, and their implications for sustainable development in West Africa, remains limited. This study examines the relationship between women’s education and fertility while accounting for religious affiliation, using data from the Benin Demographic and Health Survey. Fertility outcomes were analyzed using Poisson and Negative Binomial regression models. Model selection was guided by comparisons based on the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) and Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC), which indicated that the Poisson model was the most appropriate for the analysis. The findings reveal a negative association between women’s educational attainment and fertility. Variations in fertility outcomes were also observed across different religious groups, highlighting the moderating role of religious affiliation in shaping reproductive behavior. The results suggest that policymakers in Benin and the wider West African region should prioritize access to secondary and tertiary education for women as a strategy to address demographic challenges. Policy interventions should also consider cultural and religious contexts. Involving religious leaders, particularly those from traditional religious backgrounds, in decision-making processes is essential for advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.
Dossou et al. (2026) studied this question.