The United Nations Population Division is reporting that total fertility rates (TFRs) in Middle Eastern countries are rapidly declining. For example, the TFR for women in Iran from 1975-1980 was about seven but the UN sees that number dropping to less than two for the 2005-2010 cohort. In the West Bank and in Gaza, TFRs have droppoed from 7.39 in 1975 to 1980 to 5.09 in 2005 to 2010.
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Maybe the decrease on fertility is a result of increased education and a decrease in the hope of people. Along with the availability of family planning. And maybe some basic common sense that the future is better with smaller families.
The same thing is happening in Russia, where the fertility rate has dropped below the replacement number.
And in China where the government in 1980 made the decision for the Chinese people and enforced a one child per family policy because of the exploding population and the lack of ability to feed, house, employee more people.
If only more third world countries would wake up and smell the coffee, these peoples would have better futures.
What are the implications (short term and long term) of this?? what does it mean for their country?
Maybe it just means that it really is more expensive as well as a lot of work to raise a family no matter where you live. Everyone is working outside the home and that means no hands for the kids!