This indicator reflects the percentage of births that individuals or couples intended to have at a later time, according to surveys conducted in the five years prior. It highlights a significant aspect of family planning dynamics, emphasizing the
gap between actual and desired timing of childbirth. By categorizing births into planned, mistimed, and unplanned, this metric provides essential insights into societal norms and reproductive health behaviors. A high percentage of mistimed births may indicate
challenges in access to contraception, education about family planning, or shifts in socioeconomic conditions. Understanding this data can help policymakers design targeted interventions to improve reproductive health services, ultimately leading to better alignment of family planning with individual aspirations and needs, thereby promoting healthier families and communities overall.
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