Background: Family planning empowers individuals and couples to make informed decisions about the number and timing of their children. Despite its proven benefits, the utilization of family planning services remains suboptimal in many rural areas of Nigeria. Socio-demographic factors, cultural values, and gendered decision-making continue to shape women’s access and use of these services.

Aim: This study examined the socio-demographic factors influencing the utilization of family planning services among rural women in Nwofe, Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria.

Method: A cross-sectional descriptive design was adopted, employing a self-developed questionnaire validated through pretesting. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to recruit 249 women of reproductive age (15–49 years). Data from 240 completed questionnaires (response rate: 98.8%) were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0, applying descriptive and inferential statistics.

Findings: The study revealed that only 30.8% of respondents were aware of family planning services, with health workers serving as the primary information source. Implants were the most widely recognized and used method (42.1%). Despite moderate knowledge levels (75.8%), more than half of respondents (50.4%) reported not using any family planning method, citing fear of side effects (87%) and religious objections (48.2%). Utilization was strongly associated with age (χ²=27.5, p=0.001), education (χ²=48.2, p=0.000), marital status (χ²=46.0, p=0.000), occupation (χ²=21.2, p=0.005), and husband’s education (χ²=8.9, p=0.003). Husbands were identified as the primary decision-makers in 42.6% of households.

Conclusion: Family planning service utilization in Nwofe remains inadequate and is significantly influenced by socio-demographic variables, including age, religion, educational status, cultural practices, and male-dominated decision-making. Poor community awareness and persistent myths exacerbate underutilization, contributing to maternal morbidity, poverty, and population growth pressures.

Recommendation: Strategies to improve uptake should include targeted community education to dispel misconceptions, empowerment of women through education and income-generating opportunities, and increased male involvement in reproductive health. Expanding access to affordable family planning services in rural communities and ensuring adequate healthcare staffing are also essential.