RELATIONSHIP OF INCOME AND CONSUMPTION OF MODERN GOODS TO FERTILITY - STUDY OF WORKING-CLASS FAMILIES IN IRAN

This paper examines the effects of income and consumption of modern goods on fertility level and contraceptive practice among working class families in three Iranian cities. A j-shaped relationship is found between fertility and income after controlling for other variables. Expectation about future changes in income does not have any significant effect on the number of children ever born, but those who expect an increase in their income in the near future are more likely to be currently using contraception. Consumption of modern goods is positively related to fertility level and does not have any significant effect on contraceptive practice. © 1979, North American Conference of British Studies. All rights reserved.