Question

A country has a TFR of 1.6 (which is below replacement rate), yet its population continues to grow. What is one likely explanation for this deviation from the norm?

a) The country has such a high population momentum that it cannot stabilize or shrink.
b) The life expectancy is so high that it cannot stabilize or shrink.
c) The net immigration is high enough to overcome low TFR.
d) Child and infant mortality is so low that it overcomes low TFR.
e) None of the above. A population cannot grow with a TFR below 2.1.

Answer 1

A country with a TFR below replacement level can still experience population growth if it has high net immigration, as the influx of people can offset the lower birth rates. The correct option is C.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question at hand asks why a country with a Total Fertility Rate (TFR) of 1.6, which is below the replacement rate, could still have a growing population. The answer is c) The net immigration is high enough to overcome low TFR. This phenomenon occurs when the number of people entering the country exceeds the number of people leaving the country, which adds to the population and can offset the lower fertility rate.

The TFR is an average indicator of how many children a woman would have over her lifetime, but it's not the sole determinant of population growth. Population momentum, life expectancy, and particularly net immigration levels also play significant roles. Even with low fertility rates, if a country has a high level of immigration, this influx of people can lead to population growth.