Trends in fertility family planning and childhood mortality in Turkey. Findings from national demographic surveys and population censuses.

Findings from the 1993 Turkish Demographic and Health Survey in the areas of fertility family planning and child mortality in recent decades (intermittent between 1978 and 1993) are presented. Although the emphasis is on recent data it is recognized that Turkey has a long history of census-taking dating back to 1927. Population size was 13.6 million in 1927 and 56.5 million in 1990. The average annual growth rate over 63 years was 2.3%. Population density increased to 73 persons/sq. km in 1990. Crude death rates began to decline during the 1950s. The highest population growth rate was during 1955-60. During 1990-95 the crude birth rate declined to 23/1000 and the crude death rate declined to 7/1000. Replacement level may be reached during 2000-05. During 1975-90 the proportion of urban population rose to 56% and the proportion living in the Western and Southern regions increased. The proportion of population in other regions decreased. Movement was to metropolitan cities. The distribution of population by age and sex has changed. The proportion of children aged under 14 years declined and there is a deficit of males in rural areas. Life expectancy reached 65.1 years for males and 69.7 years for females in 1990-95. Literacy increased to 72% for females and 89% for males in 1990. The proportion never married among 15-19 year olds rose to 87% in 1993. Fertility decline was smaller during 1988-93 than during 1978-88. The fertility rate in 1993 was 2.7 births/woman. All regions experienced fertility declines but declines were faster in the Central region followed by the Southern and Northern regions. Family planning knowledge was universal. 35% of married women used modern contraception in 1993. Modern method use was 6% more than women using traditional methods. The IUD was the most popular in 1993 and pill use declined during 1978-93. Withdrawal was the most widely preferred traditional method.