A generation ago, scientists worried about
There
overpopulation Today in developed countries
too low t
there is the oppos
Birthrate measures the
ultimate
number of children a woman has during her
populat
s The replacement birthrate is the rate required to
populati
maintain the population. In developed countries,
Ukraine,
this number is 2.1, but in most of these countries
South Ko
are less than this, Spain and South
Ethiopia
Korea, for example, share a birthrate of 1.1 Italy
or Japan
10 and Japan 1.2. Internationally, more than
result is p
40 percent of people live in countries where the
taxpayer
birthrate is lower than the replacement level
There are having
people.
the youn
fewer children. Chief among e is the cost
workers,
15 of education, Jobs in developed countries
Even
increasingly require highly educated workers,
and the cost of this education is largely example
parents. An
borne by
birthrate.
people move reason is the growth of cities. As
The birth
20 pressure to from rural areas to
the city, there is is 1.8, wh
estate limit family size. The h
st of real
Overnm
there means that living space is limited, and
eras, is no
room for a la
e family. In previous
up 30 pe
a single Wage earner was able to support a
household. Today, it is usually necessary for both
25 parents to work. Without child care that parents
can afford or the help of grandparents, couples
may not wantto have many children. Another
women's movement. This has resulted in economic
30 independence for many women As women gain
equality and independence, they choose to
follow careers and have children later, The wide