Important interrelationships between population and development are widely recognized. A key component of this is the impact of development and structural change on current fertility. The Indonesian government's efforts in both family planning and other development programs have resulted in recent rapid fertility declines. The crude birth rate has declined from 44 per thousand in 1971 to 29 in 1985. This success leads naturally to questions regarding the factors influencing it. Some argue that development has contributed primarily to the current situation while others argue that family planning is the most important factor.
It is true that the government has made a strong commitment to implementing a national family planning program to lower fertility since 1971, but its commitments to improvements in health, education, and other economic infrastructure have also been strong. With this study, we hope to provide a clearer picture of how these reductions in fertility have occurred. Perhaps this will help others evaluate the relative importance
of alternative strategies towards economic and demographic development.
The Demographic Institute, Faculty of Economics University of Indonesia has been honored to do the research on "Fertility Transition in Indonesia, Trends in Proximate Determinants of Fertility, Based on The 1987 NICPS/DHS." We are grateful for the grant from the Population Council No. CP88.08W (under a subcontract from USAID).
Our appreciation goes to Ms. Sri Moertiningsih Adioetomo as the principal Investigator with the
diligent and capable assistance of Ms. Ayke S. Kitting and Mr. Salman Taufik. The same appreciation goes to Dr. Gour Dasvarma of Population Council in Jakarta, Dr. John Bongaarts and Mr. Parker Mauldin of Population Council, New York who have given invaluable help in the process.
Last but not least we would like to thank Ms. Sulistinah I. Achmad who helped us preparing the proposal.