The dynamics of fertility amongst Palestinians in Israel from 1980 to 2000: La dynamique de la fécondité des Palestiniens en Israël de 1980 à 2000

Authors: Nahmias, Petra; Stecklov, Guy

Source: European Journal of Population/ Revue europenne de Dmographie, Volume 23, Number 1, March 2007 , pp. 71-99(29)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

A dynamic stalled fertility transition is the best way to describe the recent fertility experience of Muslim Palestinians in Israel. It is generally assumed that once fertility levels fall by 10%, transition is well underway. Muslims in Israel experienced rapid fertility decline from TFR levels near 9 in the 1960s to about 4.5 in the early 1980s, but period TFRs have remained essentially constant since then. This article uses multilevel statistical models and census data to examine the changing determinants of fertility amongst Muslim Palestinians in Israel during the stage when aggregate fertility levels approached stagnation. The results show that as educational levels increased among Israeli Muslim women, the strength and nature of the relationship between education and fertility has changed at both the individual and community levels. We also explore other potential determinants of fertility such as minority status and cultural affiliation—exciting new directions for explaining the stagnation of aggregate fertility levels.

Keywords: Fertility stagnation; Fertility determinants; Palestinian fertility; Israeli fertility; Stagnation de la fécondité; déterminants de la fécondité; fécondité des Palestiniens; fécondité des Israéliens

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10680-006-9113-3

Affiliations: 1: Email: stecklov@huji.ac.il

Publication date: 2007-03-01