Factors Influencing Birth Rates
Geography: Cambridge International GCSE (2027 Exams), topic 6.2.1
Factors Influencing Birth Rate
There are lots of different things that influence the birth rate (BR) of a country. These factors can be split into social factors, economic factors and political factors.
Social factors
- Tradition demands high birth rates as a measure of social status so BR remains high.
- Education for women reduces the BR as they have a greater knowledge of birth control and more chances of work or a career.
- Strict Muslim and Catholic societies do not permit the use of contraception (condoms, birth control pills) so the birth rate is generally higher here.
- In HICs, couples marry later so start families later. This limits the number of children produced.
Economic factors
- Poorer countries have higher fertility rates as children are considered good labour because they work in the fields.
- e.g. Niger in West Africa has a fertility rate of 7.5 children per woman whereas the UK has a fertility rate of 1.8.
- In the least developed countries, there are no pensions available for older people so children are expected to provide for their parents.
- More children mean more people to look after mum and dad.
- In HICs birth rates are lower as couples decide that children are expensive.
Political factors
- Government policies can affect birth rate.
- Countries with ageing populations have pro-natalist policies to encourage women to have children.
- E.g. France gives significant financial rewards to women that have a third child.
- Countries with huge populations that are increasing rapidly may limit the number of children allowed.
- E.g. China’s One Child policy of 1979-2015.
Test yourself on Factors Influencing Birth Rates
What category of factors would having a cultural tradition of high birth rates fall under?
When was China's One Child policy?