Understanding the Impact of Fertility on the Economy

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 142 views

Understanding the Impact of Fertility on the Economy

The population growth due to high birth rates can have a negative impact on the economy. As the population increases, the need for resources and employment opportunities also rises, leading to worsened poverty conditions and reduced living standards. Therefore, it is essential to analyze the factors that influence the birth rate in a specific region. This study focuses on the Berastagi District, Karo Regency, and aims to identify the determinant factors of fertility in the area.

Methodology

This study was conducted in 5 villages/kelurahan in Berastagi District, which has the highest number of fertile age pairs (PUS) in 2019. The independent variables studied include:

Income: The level of income of the respondents
First Marriage Age: The age at which the respondents got married for the first time
Husband's Education: The level of education of the husband
Wife's Education: The level of education of the wife
Length of Working Hours: The number of hours the respondents work per day
Length of Use Contraception: The duration for which the respondents have been using contraception

The data used in this study came from two sources:

Primary data: Obtained through a questionnaire distributed to 98 respondents
Secondary data: Obtained from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) as a complementary data to see the trend of birth rates in previous years

The data analysis was carried out using multiple linear regression methods through SPSS version 25 software. The results showed that the six independent variables together had a significant effect on the level of fertility in Berastagi District. However, partially, only the length of time of working hours and the length of use of contraceptives that have a significant influence.

Results

The regression results showed that:

Income: Has a positive influence on fertility, but is not significant. Increased income tends to be accompanied by an increase in the number of children, but the effect is not strong enough to be said to be significant.
First Marriage Age: Has a negative influence on fertility, but is not significant. The younger the age of first marriage, the higher the level of fertility. However, the effect is not significant, so this needs to be further studied.
Husband and Wife Education: Has a negative influence on fertility, but is not significant. This shows that the higher the education level of husband and wife, the lower the level of fertility. However, the effect is not significant, so further research is needed to uncover other factors that might affect decisions related to the number of children.
Length of working hours: Has a positive and significant influence on fertility. The longer the working hours, the higher the level of fertility. This shows that long working hours can affect the decision to have children, maybe because the couple has less time to plan the family.
Long use of contraception: Has a positive and significant influence on fertility. The longer the use of contraception, the higher the level of fertility. This shows that the use of contraception that is less effective or inconsistent can increase the likelihood of pregnancy and birth.

Implications

This research provides important information for stakeholders in Berastagi District in formulating strategies to regulate population growth. The results showed that factors such as education, income, and access to contraception need to be a major concern in family planning programs. Educational and Socialization Program regarding family planning, reproductive health, and the use of effective and safe contraceptives, needs to be strengthened and improved. In addition, efforts to improve the welfare of the community, especially through increasing income and access to education, are also important to do. Through the right strategy, it is expected to reduce birth rates and improve the welfare of the community in Berastagi District.

Conclusion

Q: What is determinant fertility?

A: Determinant fertility refers to the factors that influence the birth rate in a specific region. These factors can include education, income, access to contraception, and other socio-economic variables.

Q: Why is it important to study determinant fertility in Berastagi District, Karo Regency?

A: Studying determinant fertility in Berastagi District, Karo Regency is important because it can help policymakers and stakeholders develop effective strategies to regulate population growth and improve the welfare of the community. Understanding the factors that influence fertility can also help identify areas where interventions can be made to reduce birth rates and improve health outcomes.

Q: What are the main findings of this study?

A: The main findings of this study are that the length of time of working hours and the length of use of contraceptives have a significant influence on fertility in Berastagi District, Karo Regency. Additionally, the study found that education, income, and access to contraception are also important factors that influence fertility.

Q: What are the implications of this study for policymakers and stakeholders?

A: The implications of this study for policymakers and stakeholders are that they should prioritize education, income, and access to contraception in family planning programs. Additionally, they should develop strategies to reduce the length of working hours and improve the effectiveness of contraceptive use.

Q: How can the findings of this study be used to improve the welfare of the community in Berastagi District, Karo Regency?

A: The findings of this study can be used to improve the welfare of the community in Berastagi District, Karo Regency by developing effective family planning programs that address the needs of the community. Additionally, the study's findings can be used to inform policies and interventions that aim to reduce birth rates and improve health outcomes.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: The limitations of this study are that it was conducted in a specific region and may not be generalizable to other areas. Additionally, the study's sample size was relatively small, which may limit the reliability of the findings.

Q: What are the future directions for research on determinant fertility in Berastagi District, Karo Regency?

A: Future directions for research on determinant fertility in Berastagi District, Karo Regency include conducting larger-scale studies that can provide more generalizable findings. Additionally, researchers should explore the impact of other factors, such as cultural and social norms, on fertility in the region.

Q: How can the findings of this study be used to inform policies and interventions in other regions?

A: The findings of this study can be used to inform policies and interventions in other regions by providing insights into the factors that influence fertility and the effectiveness of different interventions. Additionally, the study's findings can be used to develop more effective family planning programs that address the needs of different communities.

Q: What are the potential applications of this study in the field of public health?

A: The potential applications of this study in the field of public health include developing more effective family planning programs, reducing birth rates, and improving health outcomes. Additionally, the study's findings can be used to inform policies and interventions that aim to reduce poverty and improve economic development.