Education as a Mechanism for Family Planning among African Girls: A Systematic Review of Evidence (2000–2025)

Education is widely recognized as a determinant of reproductive health outcomes, yet its role extends beyond knowledge acquisition to function as a structural mechanism shaping fertility behaviour and family planning decisions. This systematic review synthesizes empirical evidence from 2000 to 2025 on the relationship between girls’ education and family planning outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa.
Using PRISMA-informed search and screening procedures across Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, ERIC, and Google Scholar, studies were selected based on relevance to education, adolescent fertility, contraceptive use, and reproductive autonomy. A total of peer-reviewed studies and institutional reports were thematically analyzed.
Findings show that education consistently delays marriage, reduces adolescent pregnancy, improves contraceptive knowledge and uptake, and strengthens reproductive decision-making autonomy. However, the strength of these effects is mediated by poverty, gender norms, school quality, and access to health services.
The review concludes that education functions as a multi-pathway but incomplete mechanism for family planning. Policy effectiveness depends on integration between education systems, reproductive health services, and social and economic development strategies.

Education; family planning; African girls; adolescent fertility

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