How do birth rates correlate with economic development?

Birth rates generally decrease as economic development increases, indicating a negative correlation between the two.

In more detail, this trend is often attributed to several factors associated with economic development. As countries become more economically developed, there tends to be an increase in education levels, particularly among women. Education often leads to a delay in the age of first childbirth and a reduction in the total number of children a woman has in her lifetime. This is because educated women are more likely to understand and have access to family planning methods, and they may also have more opportunities for employment outside the home, which can reduce the desire or need for large families.

Additionally, economic development often leads to improvements in healthcare, including access to reproductive health services. This can result in lower infant and child mortality rates, which can in turn reduce the perceived need for large families as a form of 'insurance' against child loss.

Another factor is the shift from agrarian to industrial and service-based economies that often accompanies economic development. In agrarian societies, children are often seen as an economic asset, as they can contribute to the family's income through work. However, in industrial and service-based economies, children are more likely to be seen as an economic cost, as they require investment in education and cannot contribute economically until they are adults. This shift can lead to a decrease in birth rates.

Finally, urbanisation, which is often associated with economic development, can also contribute to lower birth rates. In urban areas, the cost of living is often higher, and space is at a premium, both of which can discourage large families.

In summary, while there are exceptions to the trend, there is generally a negative correlation between birth rates and economic development. This is due to a combination of factors including increased education, improved healthcare, a shift in economic structures, and urbanisation.