Fertility Rates: Is Western society self sustaining?
In most of the developed world, fertility rates are incredibly low. Developed countries have a fertility rate of around 1.6 children per woman, which corresponds to negative population growth (we're going to ignore immigration since its a band aid).
The highest fertility rate is in the US, around 2.1 children/woman. Some of the lowest are in Europe and Canada:
Canada 1.7
France 1.6
UK 1.6
Germany 1.3
Italy 1.2
Spain 1.2
Now certain countries I can understand wanting less people. Japan, Hong Kong, and China for instance could use alot more space. But for North America and Europe there seems to be plenty of land and food.
In fact, it is the wealthier countries where the fertility rate is low. The third world can't have enough children it seems.
Is having a negative fertility rate, when you have ample resources, a cause for alarm?
Are our societies saying they don't want to continue?
Why don't people want to have kids?
|