How does fertility rate affect population growth?

Fertility rate refers to the average number of children born to women of childbearing age in a specific population. It plays a significant role in determining population growth.

When the fertility rate is above the replacement level, which is typically around 2.1 children per woman, the population tends to experience positive growth. This is because each generation is producing more children than the previous one, leading to an increase in the overall population size.

Conversely, when the fertility rate falls below the replacement level, population growth slows down or even becomes negative. This is because each generation is producing fewer children than the previous one, resulting in a decline in the overall population size over time.

The impact of fertility rate on population growth is further influenced by factors such as mortality rates, migration, and the age structure of the population. High mortality rates can offset the effects of high fertility rates, while migration can either contribute to population growth or mitigate population decline. Additionally, the age structure of the population, particularly the proportion of individuals in the reproductive age group, can also influence population growth.

Overall, fertility rate is a crucial determinant of population growth, and understanding its dynamics is essential for studying and predicting changes in the world population.