Final answer:
The statement that economic prosperity leads to a decline in fertility rates is true. Economic security and the empowerment and education of women lead to fewer children per family, a trend observed in developed nations.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to some economists, economic prosperity is a factor that leads to a decline in fertility rates. This statement is True. As societies achieve higher levels of economic security, a demographic shift occurs, resulting in lower birth rates. Factors contributing to this shift include a reduction in infant mortality rates, less fear of poverty in old age, and the empowerment and education of women. The decline in fertility rates has been observed in developed nations, where average family sizes decreased significantly from the nineteenth century to the twentieth.
Moreover, countries that undergo economic development often experience initial improvements in public health, like clean drinking water and vaccination programs, which can first increase population growth by lowering death rates. However, subsequent economic development and improved living standards typically lead to a reduction in birth rates. This process is known as the demographic transition.