FERTILITY

Which country has the highest fertility rate and which the lowest? Burundi 6.33 Singapore 1.09

The complexities of population growth SOCIAL POLITICAL CULTURAL HEALTH EDUCATION ENVIRONMENTAL STAGE of DEVELOPMENT

VARY BETWEEN COUNTRIES VARY SPATIALLY WITHIN COUNTRIES FERTILITY Fertility rates are one of the most important elements in population change Fertility rates: CHANGE OVER TIME VARY BETWEEN COUNTRIES VARY SPATIALLY WITHIN COUNTRIES

Change Over Time Variations in BR less extreme than DR – controlled by economic, social, cultural & political factors (endogenous /internal factors) Baby booms Changing Traditional roles of women Government policy – post war (Baby Booms) Anti-natal policies eg. China’s 1 Child Policy (1980s>), Singapore – Stop at 2 campaign 1960s – 1970s, India – You’ve had 2 that will do’ 1970 – 1980s. Pro-natal policies – UK, Singapore 2000>

Vary Between Countries … especially between countries at different stages of economic development. LEDCs tend to have high TFR – especially if there is a high dependency on subsistence agriculture, children are perceived to be economic assets (providers), high IMR, form of pension for parents in old age, lack of contraception, strong religious values etc MEDCs and NICs tend to have low TFRs – industrialisation lowers birth rates as generally family resides in urban area (children become burdens & consumers) etc Niger BR 55:1000 (TFR 8) Hong Kong, Japan ,Singapore BR 8:1000

Variations between countries

Link between education & fertility

Factors Affecting Fertility Demographic factors Remember 50% of the population biologically incapable of having children (ie men), so maximum BR can only be 500 per 1000. Furthermore, only women fertile can have children – UK 60% of female popn, thus reducing ratio to 300 per 1000 Possibly 10% of females of child bearing age may be infertile, figure reduces to 270 per 1000! High infant mortality rates (with IMR +100 families tend to have over 10 children to be 95% certain of a surviving son) – eg Sierra Leone, Africa Low IMR = smaller families Population momentum - China

Factors Affecting Fertility Economic Economic asset or economic burden – LEDC/MEDC (Producers/ consumers) Children as young as 5 in LEDCs will be producers, helping out with farming, fuel/water gathering MEDC – luxuries and disposable income over children! Pensions availability in LEDCs – piety / ‘bride price’ in Nigeria – deceased husband, wife no claims or rights to land or possessions. Reliant on sons to look after in old age MEDCs- financial planning & pension availability commonplace ‘More tickets in the lottery’ idea – larger family greater the chances one child will do well & thus pull the family out of poverty

Factors Affecting Fertility Social & cultural Role of women & status within society: Education / Literacy / Status in society – Muslim faith / Access to formal employment (limited = higher chance of large family) Superstition & Belief – high no. children = greater fertility / virility (African nations) Ancestry & traditions in Africa – babies required to be named after dead relatives. Childless couples perceived as evil & cursed (Nigeria) In many cultures females are not desired – women eventually move out to be with husbands family, often taking dowry payments with them (cows/land). Males do the opposite – bring dowries in & therefore families may seek to compensate ‘expensive’ girls with boys MEDCs – women are liberated, can pursue careers, greater independence = delay to starting family. ‘Fertility window’ thus limited

Factors Affecting Fertility Family planning & Education LEDCS - Lack of access to contraception & lack of education about effective use of contraception – condoms/pills etc Religious issues & acceptance of contraception: Catholicism – Ireland , condoms illegal until early 1990s! Muslim faith- polygamy (4 wives- out do each other) – status of women also a key issue! Morman faith – polygamy! BUT could argue religion NOT a controlling factor (Italy & Spain both Catholic have among the lowest TFR globally) Men – Stress levels - low libido (sex drive), falling sperm counts (pollution? diets?) Increase in female infertility too! Education – children go to school they become a cost rather than benefit (initially). Girls educated to same level as boys – seek to gain employment & this ‘enpowering’ process often leads to reduction in BR as age of marriage rises & women delay child rearing. Education in rural villages – information on contraception – fall in accidental / unplanned BR

Factors Affecting Fertility Role of Women Education / careers / delaying of family esp in MEDCs – Australia / UK average age marriage 28-30, start family 2 years later (once 21/22-23) Hindu culture – tradition for girls to marry at 16 & start family immediately. Greater potential to produce 5/6 children + Cultures where women have few rights (Afghanistan & Pakistan) higher BR – restricted from leaving the home, unable to access family planning, advice etc

Factors Affecting Fertility Economic development – increase in wealth and development = fall in TFR NB: Singapore & China

Spatial distribution and CBR Vary Within A Country Spatial distribution and CBR Rural / urban emphasis – frequently smaller in urban setting in LEDC & MEDCs Regional in UK- South coast low – higher % of elderly people. Age structure important – areas with young populations (UK new towns eg Basingstoke tend to have higher birth rates than those with higher % of retirees/ elderly!)

Can Be Influenced By Government Policy Anti natal policy China – ‘One Child’ Policy 1979-80 > Singapore ‘Stop at Two Campaign’ 1969 Pro natal policy – Nazi & Fascist states Malaysia – 2020 – 50million target Mongolia – 5 children expected, 7+ = Mother of the Nation award

Can Be Influenced By Government Policy

Kerala, India – Case Study Within the next 10-20 years India’s population will have passed that of China, hitting approx 1.4 - 1.5 billion people. This rapid population growth trend has not been replicated across the whole country. Kerala state lies in the south of the country and has been recording a rapid decline in its birth rate for many years now. Why is this?