Without exception, population growth in rich countries has slowed to a crawl. Average fertility rates in Europe and North America, for example, have fallen to 1.5 to 3 births per woman. By contrast, average fertility rates in the world's poorest countries--say, Somalia, Yemen, and Uganda--are vastly higher, reaching more than seven births per woman. Must countries produce fewer children if they want to accumulate more wealth?
Without exception, population growth in rich countries has slowed to a crawl. Average fertility rates in Europe and North America, for example, have fallen to 1.5 to 3 births per woman. By contrast, average fertility rates in the world's poorest countries--say, Somalia, Yemen, and Uganda--are vastly higher, reaching more than seven births per woman. Must countries produce fewer children if they want to accumulate more wealth?