Progress in reducing socioeconomic inequalities in the use of modern contraceptives in 48 focus countries as part of the FP2030 initiative between 1990 and 2020: a population-based analysis.

Background: Despite increases in modern contraception use, socioeconomic inequalities in family planning persist. In this study, we aimed to measure progress in reducing socioeconomic inequalities in modern contraceptive prevalence rate (mCPR) and demand for family planning satisfied by modern methods (mDFPS) in 48 countries as part of the Family Planning 2030 (FP2030) initiative between 1990 and 2020 for which Demographic and Health Survey data were available.

Methods: We analysed two rounds of Demographic and Health Survey data per country. Changes in concentration indices between two survey rounds were compared to measure reductions in overall socioeconomic-related inequalities in modern contraceptive use. Poisson regression models were used to measure the adjusted average annual rate of change across wealth quintiles.

Findings: In this population-based analysis study, all countries reduced socioeconomic-related inequalities in modern contraceptive use among in-union women of reproductive age (15-49 years) during the observed 30-year period. On average, mCPR increased at an annual rate of 2·1% (95% CI 2·1-2·2), and the rate of increase for the poorest women was 3·1% (3·0-3·2), which outpaced the rate of increase for the richest women of 1·3% (1·3-1·4%). The pattern of progress was similar for mDFPS, but at a slower pace. Overall, levels of mCPR and mDFPS increased, and socioeconomic-related inequalities were reduced during this period.

Interpretation: Substantial progress has been made in reducing socioeconomic-related inequalities in family planning across the 48 studied countries, which account for 86% of the population of the 82 FP2030 initiative countries. During the past three decades, poorer women have seen greater improvements in modern contraceptive use and demand satisfaction compared with richer women. As contraceptive prevalence rates are near their maximum, it is crucial to ensure marginalised and vulnerable groups are not left behind.

Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Translations: For the French and Spanish translations of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.