Lowest Ever Fertility
Rate
Costa Rica is
experiencing the lowest
fertility rate ever
according to the
Instituto Nacional de
Estadística y Censos (INEC)
- national statistics
and census board. The
birth rate has dropped
to 1.9 children per
woman.
The decline, according
to experts, is based on
several factors. Higher
education levels among
women and more women
preferring a
professional career top
the list. The high cost
of raising a child is
also contributing to the
decline, as well as
availability and use of
contraception.
The INEC says that a
general change in the
attitude of the
population towards
children and the size of
the family has
influenced the change as
well.
Many young Costa Rican
women used childbirth as
step into womanhood.
Getting pregnant and
having a child meant
that a teenager could be
regarded as an adult in
the family structure and
make her own decisions
rather than be subject
to the decisions of the
parents.
The situation
contributed to a large
number of one parent
families, as the father
of the child was not
consideration.
However, that ideology
is fading away as many
young women prefer to
wait to have a child,
preferring to complete
their studies and look
towards a career and
financial independence
before starting a
family.
Costa Rica's population
is currently at 4.4
million and expected to
reach 6 million by 2050.
However, if the birth
rate continues to drop
and less immigrants
choose Costa Rica as
their destination, the
figure could be well
below the projected. |
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