Effects of Fertility on Children Stunting: Quantity or Quality

This study applies the Q-Q trade-off theory to investigate the effects of fertility on children’s stunting in Nigeria using the 2018 Demographic and Health Survey. We use two-stage least square estimations to control for the endogeneity of fertility and unobserved heterogeneity in children’s nutritional status. The findings show that fertility has negative effects on the height-for-age Z score i.e., children’s height in Nigeria. Further insights into children’s place of residence and geopolitical zone reaveal that the negative effects of fertility on the height-for-age Z score are higher for children aged 6-23 months, female children, children living in rural areas, and children living in the Northern region. Based on the findings, three policies are recommended to reduce the high fertility rate and children stunting in Nigeria.