3. Two rates of demographic growth Levels of development determine growth The rate of global demographic growth has slowed due to falling fertility rates in almost ever y countr y. In 1960, the global average fertility rate was 5 children per woman . In 1990, it fell to 3.2, and by 2020 it was 2.4 children per woman . However, there are significant differences between regions, mainly due to different levels of economic and social development. (8) These countries made the demographic transition in the 20th centur y. This means they went from having high birth and death rates to low rates. (6) As a result, their population growth is now low, at around 0.2 % per year. The main reason for this is the decline in the fertility rate to as low as 1.6 births per woman . The reasons for the decline in the fertility rate are: A large increase in the number of women in the labour market and the difficulties of balancing work and childcare. Longer periods of study and difficulty finding stable, well-paid employment. This leads women to delay having their first child . Access to effective contraception . Financial insecurity and the high cost of raising children . New social values. For most young people, having children early is no longer a priority. Neither is having a large family. Developing countries whose governments have anti-natalist policies are also experiencing low demographic growth. In more developed countries Many of these countries are in the middle of a demographic transition. In the most disadvantaged countries, this transition has only just started. As a result, a large percentage of the population is under the age of 35. Young people account for these countries' higher demographic growth (between 1.3 % and 2.3 %). In addition, their fertility rate is higher, between 2.5 and 3.8 children per woman. The reasons for this are: Most of the population makes a living from farming in family groups and depend on the help of their children . The death rate, especially the infant mortality rate, is much higher due to the lack of health care and medicines. Therefore, women have more children , as they believe that some of them will die in the first few years. (7) There is a lack of education and a strong influence by religions that reject the use of contraceptives. In less developed countries 5 0 I n ‰ 4 0 3 0 2 0 1 0 0 PRE - I NDUS TR I AL REG IME Un t i l t h e m i d - 1 7 t h c e n t u r y Un t i l t h e e n d o f t h e 2 0 t h c e n t u r y A t p re s e n t DEMOGRAPH I C TRANS I T I ON MODERN SYS T EM 959143_02_p058_h01_modelo_transicion_desarrollados P h a s e 1 P h a s e 2 Population growth Birth rate Death rate 6. Demographic transition model of developed countries 7. Women in Mali have an average of six children. 32
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