Demographic and Health Surveys Methodology - Measure DHS

Statistics: Total Fertility RateDefinitionThe total fertility rate (TFR) is an age-period fertility rate for a synthetic cohort of women. It measuresthe average number of births a group of women would have by the time they reach age 50 if they were togive birth at the current age-specific fertility rates. The TFR is expressed as the average number of birthsper woman. Unless otherwise specified, the TFR is for all women. For current fertility rates, the DHSsurvey uses the period 1–36 months before the survey.CalculationThe TFR is the sum of the age-specific fertility rates for all women multiplied by five. The ASFRs arethose for the seven five-year age groups from 15–19 to 45–49.Handling of Missing ValuesNot applicable.Notes and ConsiderationsVariants:The TFR for 15–44 is also presented. It uses the 6 five-year age groups from 15–19 to 40–44.For countries with very early fertility, the ASFR for age group 10–14 years may be included.Guide to DHS Statistics 30 Updated September 2006