Fertility rate in Central Visayas drops

Local

WOMEN in Central Visayas are now less likely to prefer having more than one child.

This as the region’s total fertility rate continued to decline to 1.7 children per woman in 2025, below the replacement level of 2.1, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

The finding was presented by Ms. Jessamyn Anne Alcazaren of the Provincial Statistical Office of Bohol during the 2025 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) dissemination, which showed a sustained drop in fertility from 4.4 children per woman in 1993.

The PSA said the survey measured fertility through complete birth histories of women aged 15 to 49, including live births, stillbirths, miscarriages, and pregnancy terminations.

It also included data on children living with their mothers, those living elsewhere, and those who had died.

Age-specific fertility rates were also used in computing the total fertility rate, based on births per 1,000 women across age groups within the three years prior to the survey.

The presentation showed that women in Central Visayas now prefer smaller families, with nearly half of currently married women reporting that they no longer want additional children.

Smaller shares said they want another child soon or prefer to delay pregnancy, while a limited proportion reported sterilization among themselves or their partners.

Teenage pregnancy was recorded at 3.3 percent among women aged 15 to 49, covering those who have given birth, are currently pregnant, or have experienced pregnancy loss.

In terms of family planning, 25.7 percent of women aged 15 to 49 reported using any contraceptive method, rising to 47.8 percent among currently married women.

Oral pills remained the most commonly used method at 10.2 percent, followed by IUDs at 2.8 percent, female sterilization at 2.6 percent, injectables at 2.4 percent, implants at 1.6 percent, and male condoms at 1.3 percent.

The PSA also reported a decline in contraceptive use compared with previous years.

Among all women, use of any method dropped from 36.2 percent in 2022 to 25.7 percent in 2025.

Modern methods declined to 21.0 percent, while traditional methods fell to 4.8 percent.

Among currently married women, contraceptive use also decreased from 60.8 percent in 2022 to 47.8 percent in 2025, alongside a drop in the proportion of women whose family planning needs are being met.

The broader survey also showed that 42.5 percent of women live in rural areas.

By education, 40.8 percent reached some college level, while 49.5 percent completed junior or senior high school.

Most women, or 54.2 percent, were married or living with a partner.

Health indicators showed that 57.3 percent of women received antenatal care from skilled providers, while 93.6 percent of births were assisted by skilled personnel and 93.7 percent were delivered in health facilities.

Postnatal care within two days of delivery was recorded at 76.6 percent.

Child health data showed that about 80 percent of children aged 12 to 23 months were fully vaccinated for basic antigens, while 62.6 percent were fully vaccinated under the national immunization schedule, and 5.7 percent received no vaccinations.

Childhood mortality rates stood at 12 neonatal deaths, 18 infant deaths, and 22 under-five deaths per 1,000 live births.

The PSA said the results will guide policy formulation, program development, and resource allocation for health and population programs in Central Visayas.(MyTVCebu)