One of the most consistent patterns in demography: as countries get richer, people have fewer children. This is known as the demographic transition. Wealthier nations see lower fertility due to better access to contraception, higher education levels, urbanization, and the shift from children as economic assets to economic costs.
GDP Per Capita (USD) vs Fertility Rate (births/woman)
213 countries with available data
Correlation (r)
-0.418
Moderate negative
Countries
213
with both indicators
Avg GDP Per Capita
$23k
global average
Avg Fertility Rate
2.4
global average
Key Insight
Nearly every country with GDP/capita above $20,000 has a fertility rate below replacement level (2.1). Sub-Saharan Africa remains the notable exception with high fertility despite varying income levels.
Regional Averages
| Region | Countries | Avg GDP Per Capita | Avg Fertility Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Africa | 54 | $3k | 3.9 |
| Asia | 48 | $17k | 2.2 |
| Europe | 47 | $51k | 1.4 |
| Americas | 45 | $25k | 1.8 |
| Oceania | 19 | $17k | 2.7 |