ABSTRACT
Therefore, underlying the rapid population growth rates o f the G ulf States is the high fertility levels, with TFRs averaging five children per woman. Bongaart's Proximate Determinant approach identified the low prevalence of contraceptive use, high marriage rates and low effectiveness o f the types of contraceptives used, as the main factors accounting for the fertility rate. In addition, the patriarchal norms on which the social and legal infrastructure in the Gulf is built support a ’high-fertility' regimen, and contribute towards slowing down the pace o f fertility decline. Finally, the young age structure o f G ulf populations translates into an inbuilt population momentum - the fact that even more females would be entering the reproductive age bracket - and further ensures that fertility declines are slow.
