Forecasting Total Fertility Rate (TFR) In Gabon

In this study, the ANN approach was applied to analyze TFR in Gabon. The employed annual data covers the period 1960-2018 and the out-of-sample period ranges over the period 2019-2030. The residuals and forecast evaluation criteria (Error, MSE and MAE) of the applied model indicate that the model is stable in forecasting TFR in Gabon. The results of the study indicate that annual total fertility rates in Gabon are likely to remain around 4.0 births per woman over the out-of-sample period. Therefore, the government of Gabon is encouraged to create more demand for sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, address barriers to access among adolescents and young adults, and prioritize women empowerment.