Son Preference and Reproductive Outcomes in Uzbekistan

Rashid Javed, Wiut-uz
Khilola Dushamova, Westminster International University in Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Gayrat Suyunov, Westminster International University in Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Munira Zakirova, Westminster International University in Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Son preference is widespread in many parts of the developing world. Despite its significance in shaping reproductive behavior, son preference among married women in Uzbekistan has been overlooked in the literature. This study fills this gap by investigating the effect of son preference on reproductive behavior among married women in Uzbekistan. We use data from the recent round of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) conducted between 2021 and 2022 and find strong evidence for sex-specific birth stopping and spacing behavior among Uzbek women. Women are up to 34% less likely to have a subsequent birth and up to 41% more likely to experience a longer subsequent birth interval if they have a son or at least one son at a given birth order. The likelihood of discontinuity of childbearing increases as the number of sons increases. Besides, we found that women with at least one son are more likely to use contraceptives. Additionally, having a firstborn male child is associated with overall low fertility and the death of a firstborn child is associated with high fertility. However, the effects of firstborn child mortality on fertility are found to be not gender-specific. Our findings are robust to alternate strategies.

Keywords: Family Planning and Contraception, Economic Demography, Data and Methods, Families, Unions and Households

See extended abstract.