ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS

Family Size Differentials in Five Selected Areas in the Philippines


by Trinidad Sarao Osteria, Master of Arts in Demography (1968)


This study of family size differentials was based on the fertility surveys conducted by the U.P. Statistical Center, Institute of Hygiene, and the Population Institute from the year 1953 to 1966. Information was obtained on the marital history, fertility performance and socio-economic characteristics of the married woman, who was in most cases, the wife of the household head. The objectives of the study were: (1) the determination of variation in family size by age at marriage, education of the couple, occupation of the husband, employment status of the wife, annual household income, and farm tenancy status; and (2) comparison of fertility levels based on these socio-economic characteristics among municipalities.

The fertility performance of each sub-group was measured by the mean to detect variations among socio-economic groups. Age and marriage duration were controlled using the .05 per cent sample of the Philippine census as the standard. Analysis of variance and the Modified Duncan’s New Multiple Range Test were utilized to determine significant differences in fertility performance.

Cumulative fertility ratios were translated into age specific fertility rates by the Shaul formula.