A comparative study of fertility preferences of Nigerian female migrants and non-migrants in Benin City, Nigeria.

Context/Background: Whereas a large body of literature has already focused on fertility and migration at destination area, relatively few studies have examined fertility in association with return-migration at country of origin. This study is an investigation of the association between international return-migrants and non- migrants’ fertility preferences among women in Benin City, Nigeria.Data Sources/Methods: Data were collected from 760 migrants and non-migrants through multistage sampling technique and were analysed employing descriptive statistics, Chi-square, correlation and Ordinal regression.Findings: Returnees' migration experience (X2 =212.971, df=4, p<.001) and length of stay abroad (X2 =15.899, df=6, p<.050) and socioeconomic status (X2 =8.674, df=4, p>.050) were associated with higher fertility preferences. Non-migrants’ fertility preferences were lower (3.89 children average) than those of migrants (4.14). Migrants who stayed longer abroad were 1.06 times more likely to prefer larger family size compared with those who stayed for shorter periods.Conclusion: Migration should not be discouraged in order to achieve the ideal fertility aspiration of the country’s population policy.