APES UNIT 3

Total Fertility Rates

the average number of children that a woman is expected to have over her lifetime in a given population. TFR indicates whether a population is likely to grow, remain stable, or decline.

A TFR above 2.1 generally leads to population growth, while a TFR below 2.1 usually leads to population decline.

Factors that cause TFR to increase

TFR tends to increase when access to contraception and family planning is limited, child mortality is high (families have more children to ensure some survive), cultural or religious norms favor large families, or there is a lack of education for women.

Factors that cause TFR to decrease

TFR tends to decrease when there is greater access to contraception and reproductive healthcare, higher female education and workforce participation, urbanization (children are less economically advantageous), and improved child survival rates (fewer children are needed to ensure family survival).

Two TFR factors that differ between a Stage 2 and Stage 4 country

• Child mortality rate- Stage 2 countries have higher infant and child mortality, so families have more children to compensate. Stage 4 countries have better healthcare, so fewer children are needed.

• Women's education and workforce participation- In Stage 2, women often have limited access to education and employment, leading to higher TFR. In Stage 4, women have more education and career opportunities, lowering TFR.

Three anthropogenic activities of a growing human population that affect global biodiversity

• Deforestation – Clearing forests for agriculture, urban development, or logging destroys habitats and reduces species populations.

• Overfishing – Removing large numbers of fish disrupts aquatic food webs and can lead to species extinction.

• Pollution – Emissions, plastics, and chemical runoff degrade ecosystems and harm wildlife

Why does Kenya have such high TFR’s compared to us?

Kenya’s TFR is higher than the U.S. because child mortality is higher, so families have more children to ensure survival. Access to contraception and family planning is limited, and women have lower education and workforce participation, which leads to earlier marriage and larger families. Cultural norms also favor large families, and children often provide labor in rural areas. In contrast, the U.S. has low child mortality, widespread access to contraception, high female education, and urbanized lifestyles, all contributing to a much lower TFR.