Birth rate, fertility rate and death rate

1.1. The birht rate

The fertility rate

(It is part of birth rate)

- The fertility rate is the number of births that occur in one year in a particular place in relation to the number of child-bearing age (15-49) in that place.

-It is expressed as an average number of children per woman.

-To calculate the fertility rate:

-The fertility rate is an indicator if the population is stable, growing or falling

- A stable population requires a replacement- level, which is an average of 2.1. children per woman

- The average global fertility rate is currentliy 2,5 children per woman

- In developed countries women have children later and the fertility rates are lower. Ex: Portugal: 1,2 children per woman

- In Less- developed countries women have children earlier and the fertility rates are high. Ex: Niger: 7,6 chidren per woman

1.2. The death rate

- The death rate is the number of people who die in one year in a place

- To calculate the death rate:

- The result is the number of deaths per thousand people

Death rates have varied over time.

There are contrast between areas.

Falling death rates

- Since the beginning of 20th century the rates have fallen.

- Nowadays the average death rate is 8‰

-Due to: advances in healthcare, improvements in hygiene and nutrition.

Variations between areas

- Europe and Afriva have the highest rates.

- In Africa this is because of poor healthcare, wars and poverty

- In Europe this is because the ageing population has increased

Main causes of death

- Infectious diseases: malaria, tuberculosis and AIDS

- Famines: are often produced by long periods of drought

- In developed countries deaths occur because of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, traffic accidents...