The Structural Determinants of Female Fertility in Egypt: The Impact of Women's Empowerment Dimensions on the Total Fertility Rate

Abstract

Governments  Worldwide, as well as international institutions and organizations, have increasingly focused on  women`s issues due to the importance of elevating women`s status and achieving equality in rights and responsibilities between them and men, a constitutional and legal imperative. This is in addition to the necessity of harnessing women`s potential and creativity, given that they constitute half of society. indeed, the status of women in society has become a measure of society`s economic and social progress.

In Egypt , the economic of women , which is propelled by education and enhanced decision making authority, is typically associated with reduced fertility rates, extended birth intervals, and rise in contraceptive usage, as empowered women acquire a greater role in family planning. While advanced education markedly enhances participation in the labor market and fosters empowerment, the relationship with fertility is intricate , as certain studies indicate that elements such as early marriage and prevailing culture norms may hinder the anticipated decline fertility rates. This underscore the necessity for comprehensive interventions that address both economic prospects and intrinsic agency, such as egalitarian beliefs, to effectively achieve a reduction in fertility.