Definition: This entry gives a figure for the average number of children that would be born per woman if all women lived to the end of their childbearing years and bore children according to a given fertility rate at each age. The total fertility rate (TFR) is a more direct measure of the level of fertility than the crude birth rate, since it refers to births per woman. This indicator shows the potential for population change in the country. A rate of two children per woman is considered the replacement rate for a population, resulting in relative stability in terms of total numbers. Rates above two children indicate populations growing in size and whose median age is declining. Higher rates may also indicate difficulties for families, in some situations, to feed and educate their children and for women to enter the labor force. Rates below two children indicate populations decreasing in size and growing older. Global fertility rates are in general decline and this trend is most pronounced in industrialized countries, especially Western Europe, where populations are projected to decline dramatically over the next 50 years.
Source: CIA World Factbook - Unless otherwise noted, information in this page is accurate as of January 1, 2019
See also: Total fertility rate mapRelated News
US fertility rates fall again, and coronavirus could make it worse
Catholic World Report - 5/21/2020 5:54:00 PM
The birth rate in the United States fell to a record low last year, with the fewest babies being born in 35 years. Experts are predicting the trend to continue, and warn the coronavirus could cause an even sharper decline in future years.
U.S. Births Continue to Fall, Fertility Rate Hits Record Low
U.S. News & World Report - 5/20/2020 4:07:00 AM
The U.S. birth rate – which measures the number of births per 1,000 women and girls between the ages of 15 and 44 in a given year – sat at 58.2 in 2019 for another record low,
U.S. Births Dip To 30-Year Low; Fertility Rate Sinks Further Below Replacement Level
NPR - 5/17/2020 9:42:00 AM
"The rate has generally been below replacement since 1971," according to the report from CDC's National Center for Health Statistics. The CDC calculates a "total fertility rate" by estimating how ...
Total Fertility
UN News Centre - 5/9/2019 6:45:00 PM
In World Fertility Data 2008 ... data (see also age specific fertility rates). For civil registration systems, total fertility is obtained from country data reported by national statistical ...
The World's Youngest And Oldest Major Religious Communities
WorldAtlas - 6/1/2020 9:40:00 PM
In this article, we take a look at the median age of adherents of the major religions of the world and learn how this age factor will influence the growth of these religions in the coming decades.
Another Year, Another Record-Low U.S. Fertility Rate - Plus, A Dependency Ratio Surprise
Forbes - 5/21/2020 9:26:00 PM
In terms of the total number of births in the country, this is the lowest it’s been since 1985. In terms of the actual fertility rate, this is lower than at any point in the past; even at the ...
Our economy's got a population problem
Fox Business - 5/27/2020 11:44:00 AM
The U.S. economy has a population problem, but it's not what you think. The country is facing a long-term demographic decline that is steep enough to threaten the nation's economic future, and its status as a superpower.
In America, having a baby is becoming a luxury only a few can afford
The Guardian - 5/23/2020 1:00:00 PM
US birthrates have fallen to a 35-year low, thanks to the fact that the government is actively hostile to parents
S.Korea's childbirth posts double-digit fall in March
China Internet Information Center - 5/27/2020 9:22:00 AM
South Korea's childbirth posted a double-digit fall in March, fueling worry about a so-called demographic cliff, statistical office data showed Wednesday. The number of newborn babies was 24,378 in March,
US Fertility Rates Fall Again, and Coronavirus Could Make It Worse
National Catholic Register - 5/21/2020 7:15:00 PM
“Things like a decent social security system, MediCare, MedicAid, you just cannot sustain them in the long run with a total fertility rate of ... survey in a Western country that asks women ...
