Autumn of the Patriarchs

Shifting population patterns are expected in emerging developing countries. In Latin America the population is quickly moving from high birth rates and early mortality to low birth rates and longer life expectancies. “In Latin America the changes have happened in half that time and all at once, resulting in faster, less predictable social change,” reports the Economist. Brazil and Chile’s fertility rate is 1.8 children per woman, lower than the US rate of 1.9. Cohabitation and delaying marriage and childbirth are common trends. Women with higher levels of education are more likely to postpone having a child. Women with less education contribute to cohabitation: In Brazil and Costa Rica, cohabitation rates are over 50 percent for women with only primary education. The region saw its fertility rate fall from almost 6.0 in 1960 to 2.2 in 2010. In the US and Europe that fall took twice as long. Latin American education systems are lagging behind, and smaller families and other demographic changes may discourage investment in education. – YaleGlobal