Home » Africa: Demographic Survey shows that 60% of Kenyan Men Desire Larger Families Than Women

Africa: Demographic Survey shows that 60% of Kenyan Men Desire Larger Families Than Women

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Kenya Demographic

According to the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey, there is a notable difference in desired family size between Kenyan men and women. The survey revealed that despite economic difficulties, men in Kenya tend to desire larger families, while women are increasingly opting for family planning methods to manage their pregnancies.

Interestingly, the survey highlighted that many married men in Kenya aspire to have more children than their wives.

According to africa.businessinsider.com, The survey revealed that almost 60% of married men desire to have more children than women do. On average, women between the ages of 15 and 49 said they would like to have around 3.7 children, while men in the same age group aim for 4.2 children.

Interestingly, the desire for more children is highest among men and women with no children. On the other hand, it is lowest among those with six or more children. The survey also found that women with one child desire to have another child as much as those without any children at all.

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This trend has historical significance as well. Over the years, men have been increasingly interested in having more children, while women’s desire for more kids has decreased. For example, the ideal number of children for women aged 15 to 49 declined from 4.4 in 1989 to 3.7 in 1993 and has remained unchanged. Conversely, men in the same age group had an ideal number of children at 3.8 in 1993, which fluctuated to 4.2 in 2022.

What’s fascinating is that even though the economy has been tough lately, with high prices and living costs, men still want larger families. It shows that their desire for more children is strong and unaffected by financial challenges.

When ranked by county, the survey found that women in places like Mandera, Wajir, and Garissa want the most children, with an average of 9.8, 8.9, and 8.1, respectively. On the other hand, in Kericho, Machakos, and Makueni counties, women desire fewer children, with an average of 2.8, 2.9, and 2.9 children, respectively.

But here’s some good news: more and more women are using family planning methods to control their pregnancies. This has led to a decrease in unwanted pregnancies. In 1993, only 45% of pregnancies were planned, but by 2022, that number had risen to 63%. The rate of unwanted pregnancies has also dropped from 18% to 9% in 2022.

It’s encouraging to see that 63% of married women now use contraceptives, with 57% using modern methods. This is a significant increase compared to 1989, when only 18% of married women used these methods.

So, while men in Kenya dream of bigger families, women are opting for smaller ones. The survey shows that women are taking control of their family planning and using effective methods to shape the size of their families.

The Kenya Demographic and Health Survey has shed light on the fascinating differences in fertility preferences between men and women. It’s a unique insight into the evolving dynamics of family planning in the country.

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