Economics – Economic development - Population | e-Consult

Crude Birth Rate (CBR): The crude birth rate is the number of live births per 1,000 people in a population in a given year. It is a simple measure but doesn't account for the age structure of the population.

Fertility Rate: The fertility rate is the average number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime, assuming current birth rates and age-specific fertility patterns remain constant. It is a more sophisticated measure than the CBR because it considers the age distribution of women.

Example:

• High Crude Birth Rate: A country like Niger often has a high crude birth rate (e.g., around 45 births per 1,000 population). This is often due to factors like limited access to contraception, cultural norms, and high infant mortality rates (leading to more children being born to ensure some survive).
• Low Fertility Rate: Countries like Japan have a low fertility rate (e.g., around 1.3 children per woman). This is often due to factors like high cost of raising children, increased access to education and employment for women, and changing social attitudes.