Below Replacement Fertility refers to the situation in which a population's fertility rate falls below the level required to replace the existing generation. It is a measure used in demographic studies to indicate the number of children each woman needs to have in order to maintain a stable population size over time.
In a context where the average fertility rate is 2.1 children per woman, a value below that threshold implies that each generation will be smaller than the previous one. This can have significant implications for the composition and dynamics of a population, as a below replacement fertility rate can result in population aging, a decline in workforce availability, and potential strain on social security and healthcare systems.
Various factors contribute to the onset of below replacement fertility rates in a population. These factors may include increased access to education and employment opportunities for women, greater availability of contraception, higher costs associated with raising children, changing cultural norms, and shifting societal priorities. Economic developments and urbanization also tend to play a role in reducing the desire for large families.
Below replacement fertility rates are often observed in more developed countries, where they can pose challenges for policymakers in terms of maintaining a sustainable demographic balance. Governments may introduce policies and incentives aimed at increasing fertility rates, such as providing financial support for child-rearing or offering flexible work arrangements for parents. International migration can sometimes help offset the population decline resulting from below replacement fertility, as incoming migrants can contribute to population growth and replenish the labor force.
Overall, below replacement fertility is a demographic phenomenon that occurs when a population's average number of children born falls below the replacement level necessary to sustain the size of the population.
