Education and Fertility Transition in Peru: A Cohort Analysis of Women Born between 1936 and 1984

This paper examines the fertility transition in Peru, focusing on the cohorts of women born between 1936 and 1984 according to their educational level. Using data from the Demographic and Family Health Surveys (1986–2022), the study analyses completed fertility, birth order distribution, and median ages of key reproductive events. The results reveal a close relationship between educational level and fertility patterns, with persistent differences between educational groups. The completed fertility cohort decreased from 5.59 to 3.23 children per woman between the oldest and most recent cohorts, with more pronounced reductions in lower education groups. However, gaps between educational groups persist, aligning with Bongaarts’ “permanent differences” model. A general trend towards smaller family sizes is observed across all educational levels, but with substantial variations. Women with higher education show a pattern of later onset of reproductive life and greater fertility control. Although educational expansion has played a central role in Peru’s fertility transition, it has led to only partial convergence in reproductive patterns. These findings have important implications for public policies, indicating that effective interventions must address not only educational access but also the broader socioeconomic inequalities and cultural factors shaping reproductive decisions. Policies that combine educational expansion with improved reproductive health services, economic opportunities for women, and efforts to transform traditional gender norms would be most effective in addressing persistent fertility differences.