1.3.1 Trends in Family Size, Sex Ratios, and Aging Notes

Demographic Shifts Lead to Sizable Social Implications

1. These shifts are influenced by factors like birth rates, death rates, migration, and social norms.
2. They have profound implications for economies, societies, and policies.

Family Size: Shrinking in HICs and MICs, Larger in LICs

Why Are Families Shrinking in HICs and MICs?

1. In High-Income Countries (HICs), family sizes decreased significantly and have been low over the past decades. Currently the same process is taking place in MICs, especially in Upper Middle-Income Countries.
2. This trend is driven by several factors:
   1. Economic Costs: Raising children is expensive, with costs including education, healthcare, and housing
   2. Cultural Change: Emancipation of women combined with other factors allowed them to make independent decisions about life-style choices, reproductive health, marriages, etc.
   3. Career Priorities: Many individuals delay or forgo having children to focus on careers.
   4. Access to Contraception: Widespread availability of family planning allows for greater control over reproduction.
   5. Urbanization: In urban areas, space is limited, making large families less feasible.

Why Do Families Remain Larger in LICs?

1. In Low-Income Countries (LICs), family sizes tend to be larger due to:
   1. Economic Benefits: Children often contribute to household income through labor.
   2. Cultural Norms: Traditions may emphasize large families as a sign of prosperity.
   3. Gender Roles: Women are more likely to remain in their traditional roles, especially in rural areas.
   4. Limited Access to Education: Lower education levels, especially for women, correlate with higher fertility rates.
   5. High Infant and Children Mortality: Families may have more children to ensure some survive to adulthood.

Sex Ratios: Skewed by Gender Preferences

1. A natural sex ratio at birth is approximately 105 males to 100 females.