International Journal of Scientific Research and Engineering Development

This study investigates fertility patterns and determinants in Aswedduma Grama Niladhari Division (GND), providing a micro level perspective on Sri Lanka’s demographic transition. Drawing from structured questionnaires with 35 ever married women aged 15 - 49, the research explores fertility outcomes, socio economic influences, and cultural attitudinal factors. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were conducted using Python, with interpretation guided by the Demographic Transition Model, Caldwell’s Wealth Flows Theory, Becker’s New Home Economics, and Diffusion of Innovations. Findings reveal that Aswedduma is experiencing a shift toward smaller family sizes, with the two-child norm emerging as dominant and the average fertility rate measured at 1.83. Delayed marriage and childbearing, alongside mixed birth spacing practices, highlight the coexistence of modern reproductive behavior and traditional norms. Education, income, occupation, and migration significantly shape fertility, higher education and professional employment correlate with lower fertility, whereas agriculture-based households maintain higher childbearing levels. Migration emerges as a key determinant, reducing fertility through delayed nuptiality and the diffusion of urban reproductive norms into rural contexts. Cultural and attitudinal factors remain influential. While most families align desired and actual fertility, couples with fewer children report greater social pressure, reflecting persistence of traditional ideals such as valuing children as “wealth” and family as “treasure.” These findings underscore the tension between modernization and cultural continuity in shaping reproductive choices. The study contributes to population geography by demonstrating how localized fertility behaviors both mirror and diverge from national trends. It underscores the importance of cultural sensitivity in family planning interventions, as well as policies that integrate education, economic empowerment, and reproductive health services. Community awareness programs and targeted support for migrant families can further ease the transition toward sustainable fertility outcomes. Future research is recommended to compare rural and urban settings and to investigate intergenerational fertility preferences for deeper insights into evolving demographic behavior in Sri Lanka.

Aruni Thennakoon, "Fertility Patterns and Determinants in Aswedduma Grama Niladhari Division, Sri Lanka: A Micro-Level Population Study" International Journal of Scientific Research and Engineering Development, V9(4): Page(1100-1108) July-August 2026. ISSN: 2581-7175. www.ijsred.com. Published by Scientific and Academic Research Publishing.