Final answer:
The fertility rate in developing countries has been declining due to urbanization, economic development, and better access to education and healthcare.
Step-by-step explanation:
In recent years, the fertility rate in developing countries has been declining. This trend can be attributed to several factors, including urbanization, economic development, and greater access to education and healthcare. As developing nations transition through different stages of economic development, there is a noticeable shift from rural to urban living. This urbanization typically leads to a decrease in family size and declining birth rates. Furthermore, the demographic transition model illustrates that as countries develop, their birth and death rates decrease, leading to slower population growth. While developing countries still have higher growth rates compared to developed countries, the rate of increase is on a downward trajectory.
Detailed studies have shown that the fertility rate in regions such as Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East, which are greatly impacted by various factors like climate change and violence, has shown a steep decline. For instance, figures demonstrate a sharp fall from an average of 5 births per woman in 1950 to around 2.4 births per woman in 2020. Despite this decline in fertility rates, the global population is expected to grow substantially because of the pre-existing large population base. Countries with lower income levels have seen a more modest slowing in the rate of population growth compared to high-income nations.