Introduction

Abstract

During the last 30 years, most countries have experienced gains in almost all measures of human welfare. Life expectancy has improved, per capita incomes have increased, and literacy and education have been extended to a larger proportion of the population. While widespread, these gains have not been evenly distributed, nor can it be assumed that they will continue. To assure their continuation, policy-makers need to understand the broader social and economic forces that underlie current trends. Changes in population have been strongly associated with the recent period of economic and social transformation. This volume is intended to improve our understanding of one important aspect of population growth — fertility.