Fertility rate in Latin America & Caribbean, 2011-2021 (Births per Woman)
World Bank
27 Oct 2023
Between 2011 and 2021, Latin America and Caribbean countries experienced a gradual decline in fertility rates, dropping to 1.85 from the previous 2.2, which is already considered low for sustaining a stable population. Brazil, Costa Rica, and Colombia witnessed rapid declines in fertility rates, attributed to various factors such as the introduction of new contraception methods and evolving family values in Brazil, phased fertility transitions in Costa Rica, and widespread private family planning programs in Colombia. These declining birth rates pose challenges to the sustainability of social services and pension systems, necessitating a shift towards increased productivity and re-evaluation of retirement age policies. Argentina and Uruguay implemented awareness programs and contraceptive initiatives, resulting in substantial drops in pregnancies among young women. In a related positive development, Chile saw a significant decrease in teen pregnancies. Governments have responded to falling birth rates by initiating policies aimed at reducing stress for working parents, including tax deductions for dependents and paid maternity leave, to boost fertility rates.
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