Access to natural resources and the fertility decision of women: the case of South Africa

Abstract

Previous studies have examined the impact of an exogenous increase in population on the local resource base. In some recent theoretical work it has been proposed that resource scarcity, in turn, may affect fertility, and hence population growth rates. However, the sign and magnitude of this effect remains an open empirical question. In this paper we examine the impact of fuelwood and water scarcity on fertility rates using household data from rural South Africa. An individual choice model of fertility is estimated in which resource scarcity affects the demand for children through its effect on child mortality and productivity of children as resource collectors. Several alternative measures of resource scarcity are used, such as average distance traveled and time per trip for collecting water and fuelwood. We find wood scarcity to have a positive and significant effect on fertility. The effect of water scarcity is also positive, but not significant in general.

Rural household demographics, livelihoods and the environment

“…This suggests that resource dependency will result in higher fertility. There is empirical evidence supporting this hypothesis from Pakistan, Nepal, and South Africa (Aggarwal et al, 2001;Filmer and Pritchett, 2002;Biddlecom et al, 2005).…”

“…Yet the family formation process is ongoing, and currently observed fertility rates are typically the result of prior decisions about a desired family size (Aggarwal et al, 2001). To get an accurate picture of fertility determinants, then, requires longitudinal studies (such as the Biddlecom et al, 2005 andCarr et al, 2006 studies reviewed above) to better analyze the dynamics of this process and to disentangle some of the complex endogeneity issues that arise in empirical analysis.…”

Forests, women and health: opportunities and challenges for conservation

“…health care services in remote areas, also increase women's general morbidity and mortality. An empirical model for rural South Africa showed a positive and significant correlation between wood scarcity (based on longer time taken to access wood resources) and women's fertility (Aggarwal et al 2001). Colfer et al (2008) use causal loop diagramming to show common interconnections among women's pregnancies, caretaking responsibilities (for children, the elderly and the infirm), income generating and educational opportunities, as well as time and energy to become involved in community action, politics and.…”

La demanda por combustible y el impacto de la contaminación al interior de los hogares sobre la salud: el caso de Guatemala

“…Un estudio más reciente sobre el tema lo realizan Aggarwal et al (2001). En su análisis establecen que la escasez de leña y agua incide sobre la decisión de procrear en Sudáfrica.…”

“…El modelo que se desarrolla a continuación se basa en los trabajos de Hamacher, Hyde y Kanel (1996), Dickie (2000) y Aggarwal et al (2001). Por consiguiente, la discusión y formulación se enfoca exclusivamente sobre los asuntos relevantes para la especificación y estimación de la demanda por salud y por combustible.…”