Causes and Regional Trends of Declining Fertility Rates
Fertility Rate Trends Since the 1980s
Since the mid-80s, the fertility rate has declined by 90%, leading to stagnant growth and even negative growth. In 1998, the birth rate stood at 9.1%, and with mortality at 9%, the natural increase was 0.01%.
During 1999, there was a slight increase in the total number of births. While forecasts for the following year were made, it remained unclear if these trends represented a significant shift. From 2000 to 2008, the birth rate increased, largely driven by immigration.
Causes of the Fertility Decline
The decline in fertility has occurred in parallel with industrialization and urbanization. This shift can be attributed to various economic, cultural, and social factors, including:
- Women's labor market participation: