The fertility rate, also called the cumulative fertility rate, is the most accurate measure of the birth rate in a region or world. It characterizes the average number of potential births in every woman of reproductive age, regardless of external factors and mortality. The fertility rate reflects potential changes in the population structure of the country.
The formula for the fertility rate
To calculate the fertility rate, the number of children born during a certain period should be divided by the number of women aged 15-49 (reproductive age) and multiplied by 1000. The fertility rate is calculated in ppm (‰).
With a relatively low mortality for the replacement of generations, the total fertility rate should be at the level of 2.33. If the fertility rate is more than 2.4 - this is high fertility, less than 2.15 - low. The fertility rate of 2 children per woman is considered the reproduction ratio. A larger ratio indicates possible material problems for parents related to how to educate and support their children. Less fertility contributes to the aging of the population and the reduction of its number.
Fertility by countries of the world
The values of the general fertility rates on our planet are in the process of recession. Unfortunately, it is predictable that this trend will continue, at least over the next 30 years. So, for example, fertility in Russia has approached the level of 1.4 taking into account the inhabitants of the Caucasus, traditionally more "prolific". And the same figure in Ukraine is already 1.28. Even below the fertility rate among the Belarusians is only 1.26 per mille.
Total fertility rate
In general, the decline in fertility is seen throughout the world. Most of this trend is observed in the industrial countries of Western Europe, which are characterized by a gradual decline in population.
During the period from 1960-2010, the total fertility rate throughout the world fell from 4.95 to 2.5648 births per woman. In the most developed countries, such fertility was recorded already in the 1960s, and by 2000 it had declined to 1.57. Now the lowest fertility rate in the world is in Singapore (0.78), and the highest in Niger (7.16).