Humanity’s Future: Below Replacement Fertility?

A mother and her three children, part of the indigenous Hmong group, in Sin Chai, northwestern Viet Nam. The general trend in world fertility rates shows they are in decline - due to a combination of factors, including economic development and the improved social role of women. Credit: UN Photo/Kibae ParkBy Joseph ChamieUNITED NATIONS, Jan 15 2015 (IPS)Is below replacement level fertility the future for humanity? The answer to this seemingly simple question regarding human reproduction is not only of considerable demographic concern, but also has enormous social, economic and environmental consequences for the planet.Aside from a global mortality catastrophe, the future size of the world’s population is determined basically by the number of children women bear. If the average number of births per woman remains more than about two, world population continues to increase.However, if women on average have less than two births, then world population eventually decreases. A fertility rate of 2.1 births per woman under low mortality conditions is the replacement level, which over time results in population stabilisation.Throughout most of human history women bore many children. In addition to offsetting high rates of infant and child mortality, a large number of children provided valuable assistance, needed labour and personal meaning to rural households as well as old-age support to parents.At the beginning of the 20th century average global fertility was still about six births ...

Source: IPS Inter Press Service - Health - January 15, 2015 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Joseph Chamie Tags: Development & Aid Education Featured Gender Global Headlines Health IPS UN: Inside the Glasshouse Labour Population Poverty & MDGs TerraViva United Nations Women's Health below replacement fertility Fertility Rates Population Source Type: news