Empirical Study of the Determinants of Voluntary Childlessness Among Educated Urban Women in Lagos

Voluntary childlessness is a demographic phenomenon that remains understudied in sub-Saharan Africa, and its emerging prevalence among educated urban women in Lagos represents an important fertility trend to document and explain. This study empirically examined the prevalence and determinants of voluntary childlessness among women aged 25 to 44 with tertiary education in Lagos Island, Eti-Osa, and Victoria Island, Lagos State, South West Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey of 320 currently childless women collected data on fertility intentions, reasons for childlessness, partnership status, career priorities, financial considerations, healthcare access, and attitudes toward motherhood. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were applied. Voluntary childlessness (defined as no desire for children in the future) was reported by 22.8 percent of respondents, with intentional delay without final decision reported by a further 41.6 percent. Career and financial independence aspirations were cited by 78.3 percent of voluntarily childless women. Fear of pregnancy complications was cited by 34.8 percent. Partnership instability was a significant structural factor (38.0 percent). Regression analysis confirmed that income above N300,000 per month, high educational aspirations, and dissatisfaction with available childcare infrastructure were the strongest predictors. The study documents a significant and previously uncharacterised demographic group in Nigerian urban settings and recommends further longitudinal research, inclusion of voluntarily childless women in family planning programme data, and policy attention to childcare infrastructure gaps.

Keywords: voluntary childlessness, fertility intentions, educated women, Lagos, urban demography