Which term describes a decrease in the fertility rate?

Which term describes a decrease in the fertility rate?

• A. Population growth
• B. Demographic transition
• C. Population decline
• D. Zero population growth

Answer: (C)

The term that describes a decrease in the fertility rate is population decline. When fertility rates decrease significantly over a period of time, the overall number of births tends to fall below the level needed to sustain the population. This decline can lead to a shrinking population, particularly if mortality rates remain steady or if there is emigration. Population decline is often an indicator of changes in social, economic, and environmental factors, such as increased access to education and employment for women, greater use of contraception, and shifts in societal values regarding family size. These changes can result in fewer children being born, leading to overall population declines. Understanding this concept is crucial, especially in the context of East Asian countries where rapid industrialization, urbanization, and modernization have influenced family planning decisions, thereby affecting fertility rates.

The term that describes a decrease in the fertility rate is population decline. When fertility rates decrease significantly over a period of time, the overall number of births tends to fall below the level needed to sustain the population. This decline can lead to a shrinking population, particularly if mortality rates remain steady or if there is emigration.

Population decline is often an indicator of changes in social, economic, and environmental factors, such as increased access to education and employment for women, greater use of contraception, and shifts in societal values regarding family size. These changes can result in fewer children being born, leading to overall population declines.

Understanding this concept is crucial, especially in the context of East Asian countries where rapid industrialization, urbanization, and modernization have influenced family planning decisions, thereby affecting fertility rates.