In human demography, which fertility rate (total fertility rate) keeps a population size stable over the long term (assuming no net migration) in developed countries?

• A. A total fertility rate of 0.5 child per woman
• B. A total fertility rate of 1.0 child per woman
• C. A total fertility rate of about 2.1 children per woman (replacement-level fertility)
• D. A total fertility rate of 3.5 children per woman

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that the total fertility rate (TFR) is the average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime.
2. Recognize that for a population to remain stable over the long term (without net migration), each generation must produce enough children to replace themselves and their partner.
3. Know that the replacement-level fertility rate is slightly above 2 children per woman because it accounts for child mortality and other factors preventing some children from reaching reproductive age.
4. In developed countries, this replacement-level fertility rate is approximately 2.1 children per woman, which balances births and deaths to keep the population size stable.
5. Therefore, a TFR significantly lower than 2.1 leads to population decline, while a TFR significantly higher than 2.1 leads to population growth.