Factors Affecting Total Fertility Rate

Total Fertility Rate (TFR)

  • Average number of children a woman in a population will bear throughout her lifetime.

  • Higher TFR generally indicates higher birth and population growth rates.

Replacement Level Fertility

  • TFR required to offset deaths and maintain a stable population size.

  • Approximately 2.12.1 in developed countries.

  • Higher in less developed countries due to higher infant mortality.

Infant Mortality Rate (IMR)

  • Number of deaths of children under 1 year per 1,000 people.

  • Higher in less developed countries due to lack of access to healthcare, clean water, and sufficient food.

  • Higher IMR often leads to higher TFR as families have replacement children.

Factors Affecting IMR Decline

  • Access to clean water.

  • Access to healthcare (hospitals, vaccines, vitamins, and supplements for mothers and babies).

  • More reliable food supply.

Development (Affluence) & TFR

  • More developed nations typically have lower TFRs.

  • Increased educational access and economic opportunities for women.

  • Greater access to family planning education and contraceptives.

  • Delayed first pregnancy.

  • Reduced need for children for agricultural labor.

Government Policy & TFR

  • Policies can influence fertility rates through coercive or noncoercive measures.

  • Examples include forced or voluntary sterilization, China's one (now two) child policy, tax incentives, and microcredits for women.

Affluence & TFR

  • Increased access to contraceptives and family planning.

  • Educational and economic opportunities compete with raising children.

  • Lower IMR contributes to lower TFR.

Female Education & TFR

  • More education leads to fewer unplanned pregnancies.

  • Increased job opportunities serve as an alternative to marrying young.