BR and Fertility Why do some area’s of the world have higher fertility rates? BABY O MATIC How many will you have? Why do governments care about fertility? What can be done to control fertility?

What is Fertility? The Penguin Dictionary of Human Geography states that Fertility is a terms which refers in general context to all aspects of human reproduction leading to live births, but in a narrow sense to the achieved number of live births.

Global Trends The United Nations is a key observer in global population trends and it has a few agencies that monitor different aspects of the population. The main agency is the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA). Fertility Rate is the number of children born to women of child-bearing age.

Birth Rates, Total Fertility Rates and Replacement Rates Crude Birth Rate is the number of babies born per 1,000 population Total Fertility Rate (TFR) is the number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime, based on the current birth rates. The present world average is 3.1. The TFR is one of the best indicators of population growth. In 1998 the UN stated that 2.1 was the TFR needed by a country to replace its population. The Replacement Rate is when there are just enough children born to balance the number of people who die.

What are the fertility issues? Fact – Many countries have too many people Fact – Some countries have too few people Fact – Some countries have ethnic, social, cultural, economic, political, environmental problems So how do countries control/improve their fertility?

What are the factors that influence Fertility? Biological factors Marriage Patterns Patterns of sexual activity Length of Breastfeeding Induced Abortion Sterility Use of contraception

Higher levels of family planning use are associated with lower levels of childbearing. In Africa, where a small proportion of married women of childbearing age practice family planning (26 percent), on average women have more than five children each. In contrast, in more developed regions, where a much greater percentage of married women of childbearing age practice family planning (68 percent), women have fewer children (under two on average).

Diverging Trends in Fertility Reduction Average number of children per woman

Life Expectancy at Birth, in Years Currently, infants born around the world can expect to live an average of 65 years — up nine years since the late 1960s. Asia has experienced the largest increase in life expectancy since the late 1960s: from 54 years to 67 years. Life expectancy varies widely by region. In more developed countries, life expectancy averages 76 years, compared with only 49 years in Africa.

What are the factors that influence Fertility? Socio-economic factors The value and welfare of children The value and status of women

What are the factors that influence Fertility? Institutional Policies Government policy Religion

An example of how high levels of fertility affect a country An example of how high levels of fertility affect a country. Gambia, West Africa. Make comprehensive notes on this case study. Before we watch, set out one or more pieces of paper with the following questions as headings. Why has Gambia got a largely Youthful population? CAUSES- SOCIAL – ECONOMIC - CULTURAL What problems is this growth causing? What small scale projects are taking place in the Gambia? SOLUTIONS - Explain what they involve. How are they improving the situation?

Mortality – Death Rates What causes mortality rates to vary across the world? Read through page 7 – 9. Answer the questions on p7, 8 and 9.

Infant and child mortality Why are the deaths of infants and children a more important measure of development than adult mortality? In 250 words Explain why countries in sub-saharan Africa have higher death rates and lower life expectancies compared with Europe.

Life Expectancy-1930

Life Expectancy-1960

Life Expectancy-1990

Life expectancy for men in Europe Reproduced from European Population Committee of the Council of Europe (2005) Recent demographic developments in Europe 2005 . © Council of Europe

Life expectancy for European women