Evidence for early fertility transition among the Hmong in northern Thailand

Abstract

Survey data indicate some evidence for an early stage of fertility transition among the Hmong, the second largest minority population in the hill areas of Northern Thailand. Despite their poor socioeconomic conditions and a low level of development in the highland communities in general, most Hmong are well aware of modern contraceptive methods and advantages of limiting the number of children. Currently, about 30 percent of married women aged 14-49 are practicing family planning. This is believed to be related to the increasing resource constraints resulting from sustained population growth over the past decades coupled with the enforcement of government regulations limiting the use of forest land for traditional swidden farming. These are combined with recent expansion of the family planning program. The findings seem to suggest that change in fertility behavior can take place without a high level of socioeconomic development.