The Effects of Religious Identity on Childbearing Desires in Selected Urban-Rural Areas of Iran

This study primarily aims to examine the place of religious determinants on ideal family size and childbearing desires that is identified as a vital issue of the contemporary world. This also applies to Iran as religion plays a crucial role in all individual and social aspects of life as well as the recent population policy related to family size and childbearing. The results of this analysis is based on a survey that includes 3667 males and females aged 15 years old and over living in rural and urban areas of Ahvaz, Babolsar, Bojnord, Khoramabad, Gonbad-Kavos, Mahmoudabad, and Hamadan. This analysis uses four major indicators in order to measure religious determinants: a self-assessment of religiosity, commitment to religious practices, attitudes towards women's dress codes (hijab)</em> and whether women should decide to wear veil. Generally speaking, the results of this analysis show that ideal family size is substantially and significantly affected by these four religious determinants: the stronger the latter, the higher the former.