| Abstract: | ![]()
The substantial fertility decline that occurred in the 3rd world during the 1970s has spread in the 1980s and is well established in a much greater proportion of developing countries, including some of the larger developing nations. With only a few exceptions, countries in Latin America and the Caribbean have seen some decline. In several instances the decline is substantial. Birthrates in the Latin American region are below 30/1000 for many countries, and just above 30/1000 for several more, compared with traditional rates which ranged between the low 40s to about 50/1000. Even in Mexico and Brazil, the 2 largest countries, recent and relatively rapid declines have occurred, but in a few cases (Bolivia, Nicaragua, and Honduras, for example) fertility trends are uncertain owing to lack of data, but most likely no decline has taken place. 2 regions which have had little or no decline are sub-Saharan Africa and the Indian subcontinent. These regions include some of the world's largest populations, i.e., India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nigeria. India has seen a small fertility decline, but it was much slower than hoped for and it has leveled off recently. The situation varies greatly within India. Some states have had substantial fertility declines; others have remained at the traditional high level. Available evidence suggests that fertility south of the Sahara may actually increase slightly before any decline occurs. On the basis of the experience of the developed world, it is well established that economic development is an important cause of fertility decline. Couples will only choose to have fewer children when they feel confident that most children will survive. The debate on which the politics of fertility regulation hinges is whether economic and sociocultural development are the only means of changing motivations concerning family size, or whether the provision and publicizing of family planning and advice can cause changes independently, in addition to the effects of other social change. The consensus of the research conducted thus far is that socioeconomic factors account for the greater part of fertility decline and that availability of family planning services has a much smaller, though independent, additional role in explaining decline. The use of contraception is one of the most important means through which socioeconomic development influences fertility: easy and cheap availability of family planning services from public sources helps and may accelerate the process of fertility decline. |
