| |
|
|
Fertility declines significantly in developing
countries
Men and women in developing countries are following the trend set
in rich countries by waiting longer to marry and then having fewer
children, according to a recent study by the United Nations Population
Division. As a result, the average fertility in the developing countries
declined to 2.9 children per woman in the 1990s, dropping from 5.4
children in the 1970s. In 20 developing countries, fertility is
currently below the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman.
The data, released in January in the study entitled World Fertility
Report 2003 show that in 192 countries the median proportion of
still-single women between the ages of 25 and 29 rose to 24 per
cent in the 1990s from 15 per cent in the 1970s; the proportion
for men is even higher, rising to 44 per cent from 32 per cent over
the same period.
The study also shows that a tremendous increase in family planning
has taken place. Between the 1970s and the 1990s, the median level
of contraceptive prevalence for any method among all 192 countries
increased from 38 per cent of women currently married or in union
to 52 per cent. Among developing countries, median contraceptive
prevalence rose from 27 per cent to 40 per cent.
Government policies have played an important role in modifying reproductive
behaviour. By 2001, 92 per cent of all Governments supported family-planning
programmes and distributed contraceptives either directly (75 per
cent), through government facilities, or indirectly (17 per cent),
by supporting the activities of non-governmental organizations,
such as family-planning associations.
As a result, the global population has experienced a major and unprecedented
reduction in fertility levels, driven mostly by the decline in fertility
in developing countries.
The data in this report have been compiled from civil registration,
population censuses and nationally representative sample surveys
and, in the case of national policies, Governments’ responses
to United Nations enquiries and other sources.
This report and other population information may be accessed at
the following URL: http://www.unpopulation.org.
|
|
