In Pakistan – a country in the midst of the fertility transition – 16% of all pregnancies are
unintended, most of which end in a birth. In mid-transition societies, unwanted fertility is
thought to be due to declines in desired family size that are not accompanied by access to family
planning; however, gender issues and cultural norms may also play a role by limiting women’s
reproductive autonomy. In this study, we will use the Pakistan Demographic Health Survey
(PDHS) of 1990-91 and 2012-13 to examine how the association between perceived spousal
concordance on desired family size and wantedness of fertility has changed over time. In
addition to perceived spousal concordance on desired family size, we will also examine the
effect of education, as a proxy for power and equality in a couple’s relationship, to see whether
or not the association between perceived partner fertility desires and intendedness of
pregnancy/birth is modified by education.