Adolescent Fertility Decline in Latin America: Main Drivers and Determinants in Selected Countries

Jorge Rodriguez, CELADE-Population Division of ECLAC

Latin America has stood out worldwide for its high and deeply inequal adolescent fertility. But in the last 15 years the region has experienced a massive and spread decline in adolescent fertility, although with heterogeneity between countries and within them. However, there are still: i) theoretical discussion about the drivers of this decline; ii) lack of empirical and comparative studies about the characteristics of this decline (like magnitude, pace and inequalities), and finally, iii) scientific and ideological arguments about the role played by different policies, like sexual and reproductive health services addressing adolescents. Since these weaknesses regarding conceptualization, empirical analysis and policy assessment, this paper will: 1. present a theoretical framework by articulating socioeconomic and cultural determinants, the very well-known intermediate variables and relevant specific policies; 2. plot macro trends of socioeconomic and cultural determinants, proximate determinants and indicators of adolescent reproductive behavior and analyze them in descriptive terms; 3. model micro relationship between socioeconomic and cultural determinants, intermediate variables and chances of motherhood; and 4. examine social policies that could modify socioeconomic and cultural determinants and intermediate variables. This paper will tackle at least two countries of the region: Chile and Mexico. It will use registers, censuses and surveys.

Keywords: Fertility, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Family Planning and Contraception, Population Policies

See extended abstract.