As a result, the fertility level in this region is lower than in other regions over a long period. Women who complete higher secondary school have the lowest fertility while those with no education have the highest fertility, showing 1.97 children per woman in 1997 and 1.39 children per woman in 2002. Specifically during the period 1997-2002, reduction in fertility was found to be highest among women with no education (1.21 births per women).