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This study aims to analyze the social, health, and economic factors affecting the low fertility rate among women in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The study seeks to answer the following question: What are the social, economic, and health factors that affect the low fertility rate among the Emirati women, from the point of view of female university students? Using a snowball sampling method, we collected data from 212 working female students at a university in Abu Dhabi Emirate. Findings indicate that undergraduate education demands a significant amount of time for married females. Among the respondents, 94% acknowledged that a woman’s pursuit of higher education could divert her attention from fulfilling familial duties, potentially resulting in declining fertility rates. Moreover, 62% of the participants believed that undergraduate studies impact fertility. When examining the age of marriage, it was noticed that most married women (81%) were between the ages of 15 and 25, suggesting that age at marriage does not, significantly, affect fertility. Approximately 51% of the participants suggested that their husband’s absence from work might affect fertility outcomes. In addition, living in a separate household demonstrated a positive correlation with higher fertility rates than when living with parents. By analyzing the respondents’ geographical distribution, we found that the urban population accounted for the most significant percentage (81%). This observation implies a potential correlation between the city’s characteristics and fertility rates. Furthermore, the study identified a significant relationship between the husband’s desire to control or postpone reproduction and fertility rates. Our results align with the study population’s beliefs regarding the detrimental effects of malnutrition and unhealthy dietary patterns on fertility. Our study recommends developing policies for women’s work–life balance, social support networks, and tackling economic barriers to address the declining fertility rate in the UAE.

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Analysis of Fertility Determinants Among Emirati Female University Students: An Exploratory Study at a University

  • 会议论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2025年

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  • Mastur H. Rehim,
  • Khawlah M. Al-Tkhayneh,
  • Sanaa Ashour,
  • Mohammed Alblooshi

摘要

This study aims to analyze the social, health, and economic factors affecting the low fertility rate among women in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The study seeks to answer the following question: What are the social, economic, and health factors that affect the low fertility rate among the Emirati women, from the point of view of female university students? Using a snowball sampling method, we collected data from 212 working female students at a university in Abu Dhabi Emirate. Findings indicate that undergraduate education demands a significant amount of time for married females. Among the respondents, 94% acknowledged that a woman’s pursuit of higher education could divert her attention from fulfilling familial duties, potentially resulting in declining fertility rates. Moreover, 62% of the participants believed that undergraduate studies impact fertility. When examining the age of marriage, it was noticed that most married women (81%) were between the ages of 15 and 25, suggesting that age at marriage does not, significantly, affect fertility. Approximately 51% of the participants suggested that their husband’s absence from work might affect fertility outcomes. In addition, living in a separate household demonstrated a positive correlation with higher fertility rates than when living with parents. By analyzing the respondents’ geographical distribution, we found that the urban population accounted for the most significant percentage (81%). This observation implies a potential correlation between the city’s characteristics and fertility rates. Furthermore, the study identified a significant relationship between the husband’s desire to control or postpone reproduction and fertility rates. Our results align with the study population’s beliefs regarding the detrimental effects of malnutrition and unhealthy dietary patterns on fertility. Our study recommends developing policies for women’s work–life balance, social support networks, and tackling economic barriers to address the declining fertility rate in the UAE.