There is a belief that economic resources are growing at a slow pace such that they fail to meet the demands made by an increase in population. Because of the critical contribution fertility makes to the high growth rates of a nation it is important to understand factors behind its change. This study seeks to contribute to such an understanding by providing an assessment of fertility and its proximate determinants in Lesotho. It utilises data from the 2001 Lesotho Demographic Survey and the 2002 Lesotho Demographic Survey Supplementary Enquiry. The study reveals a moderate decline in fertility between 1977 and 2002 (from 5.8 to 4.5). This decline in fertility is attributable to a rise in contraceptive prevalence and an increase in non-marriage. The index of marriage declined by 27.5 percent between 1977 and 2002, from 0.69 to 0.50 and the singulate mean at marriage increased from 20 years to 24 years among females. Thus making non-marriage the greatest fertility- reducing factor in 2002. While, the index of contraception decline by 30.1 percent from 0.93 to 0.65 and the national CPR increased from 23.2 percent in 1991/92 to 43.9 percent in 2002. As a result contraception became the second greatest inhibitor of fertility. Though the actual effect of postpartum infecundability could not be determined due to non-availability of data, the study shows that in 1977 and 1991/92 the index of postpartum infecundability had the highest fertility-reducing effect in Lesotho. Moreover, the effect of sterility and abortion on fertility decline in Lesotho was found to be small. However, further research needs to address these factors as their effect could be masked by non-availability of data. It seems that further decline in fertility in Lesotho will be a result of an increase in contraceptive use and age at marriage. To promote these two the government should: 1) show a strong commitment both politically and financially, to limiting population growth through family planning 2) expand women's educational and economic opportunities. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.

There is a general perception that fertility has been declining over a decade in Lesotho, and this has sparked the debate that fertility transition is drawing closer in Lesotho. The growing concern was stimulated by limited studies showing the effect of socio-economic factors on fertility in Lesotho and variations in proximate determinants. The paper examines recent fertility trends in Lesotho using various demographic techniques of fertility estimation and determines whether the onset of fertility transition has begun in Lesotho. The secondary aim is to assess and control errors in the Lesotho Demographic and Health Survey of 2004, thus providing robust and reliable estimates. The analysis utilizes the secondary data from 2004 Lesotho Demographic and Health Survey (LDHS). The data set comprised of a sample of 7095 women who participated in the survey. The use of 1996 Lesotho Population Census and 2002 Lesotho Reproductive and Health Survey were made to facilitate comparison with 2004 LDHS, and to provide differentials and measure changes over time in fertility. The P/F ratio method developed by Brass and the modified version, Relational Gompertz Model are employed and used to assess the quality of data as well as determining fertility levels and trends. The findings reveal that the overall fertility among women in Lesotho during 2004 LDHS is 4.02. Application of different methods depicts that fertility remains high in Lesotho, although considered moderate according to sub-Saharan standards. Despite the fact that TFR is high, overall fertility decline is evident. The estimates of fertility range between 3.5 and 5.6 depending on the technique in use. The reason for the high observed fertility is that women in the rural areas still cherish quite a substantial family size. Nevertheless, changing acceptance and perception of using contraception, delayed marriage, high levels of education and economic development among women in Lesotho contributes considerably to fertility declines in Lesotho. As a result, disparities that continue to propel fertility levels within population groups incite reassessment of existing research and policy so as to enhance development strategies as well as action programmes. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College, 2011.