Socioeconomic characteristics and fertility of labour migrants in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia

Popul Sci. 1990 Jul:9:29-36.

Abstract

PIP: This study examines selected socioeconomic characteristics and their influence on the fertility of labor migrants in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Data were collected from health centers in the city of Al-Khobar, with the multivariate dummy regression technique used to subsequently analyze the relationship between the dependent variable, the number of living children, and explanatory variables. Wife's age, the husband-wide age difference, and wife's education were found to be significantly associated with the number of living children. Wife's education has the largest influence upon fertility, with fertility decreasing as education level increases. Fertility also varies directly with husband-wife age differences, with increasing numbers of living children observed for greater age differences. Neither husband's education, family income, nor occupation were significantly related to the number of living children. The paper qualifies its results in noting the study's sample selection bias. Since all migrants who did not bring their families with them to Saudi Arabia were excluded from the study, results are based upon better-educated and comparatively well-off economically migrants.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors*
  • Asia
  • Asia, Western
  • Birth Rate*
  • Demography
  • Developing Countries
  • Economics*
  • Educational Status*
  • Emigration and Immigration*
  • Employment*
  • Family Characteristics*
  • Family Planning Policy*
  • Fertility
  • Health Workforce
  • Income*
  • Islam*
  • Marriage*
  • Middle East
  • Multivariate Analysis*
  • Population
  • Population Characteristics*
  • Population Dynamics
  • Population Growth*
  • Public Policy*
  • Regression Analysis*
  • Religion
  • Research
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Social Class
  • Socioeconomic Factors*
  • Statistics as Topic
  • Transients and Migrants*