Interrelations of population density, urbanization, literacy, and fertility

Proximate Population Factors and Deforestation in Tropical Agricultural Frontiers

“…The cause of high frontier fertility would appear to be, in a general sense, predicated on the same factors governing family size in other contexts, low demand for and/or supply of contraception options (Leet, 1977;Tuladhar, et al, 1982;Robinson & Schutjer, 1984;Singh et al, 1985;Knodel et al, 1987;Lesthaeghe & Surkyn, 1988). Nevertheless, there are several points in the children supply and demand model specific to a frontier context worth mentioning here.…”

Ready, Willing, and Able? Impediments to the Onset of Marital Fertility Decline in the United States

“…Because the U.S. Census Office cross-tabulated the population by age, sex, and county between 1800 and 1860—together with various demographic, economic, and social statistics—child-woman ratios have proven useful in estimating geographic differences in and correlates of antebellum fertility (Carter et al 2004; Easterlin 1976; Easterlin et al 1978; Forster and Tucker 1972; Haines and Hacker 2011; Leet 1977; Smith 1987; Vinovskis 1976; Yasuba 1962). The dominant interpretation that has emerged from these studies is that spatial differences in child-woman ratios were the result of couples’ adaptation to the declining availability of land for farming.…”

“…Nineteenth century and early twentieth century observers identified the foreign-born population as the group most resistant to the new idea of small families and the practice of contraception, while members of the native-born white population were identified as the earliest adoptees (King and Ruggles 1990; MacNamara 2014; Smith 1994). Quantitative historians have found large fertility differences by nativity and among first- and second-generation immigrants, even after controlling for socioeconomic status and residential factors (Atack and Bateman 1987; Forster and Tucker 1972; Hareven and Vinovskis 1975; King and Ruggles 1990; Leet 1977; Morgan et al 1994; Vinovskis 1976, 1982). …”

Wealth, Intelligence, Politics and Global Fertility Differentials

“…This effect has been observed both in historic populations (Leet, 1977;Lee, 1987) and in country-level comparisons today (Lutz et al, 2006). This effect has been observed both in historic populations (Leet, 1977;Lee, 1987) and in country-level comparisons today (Lutz et al, 2006).…”

“…Among the 'incidental' findings of this study is a moderately sized but consistent negative effect of high population density on fertility. This effect has been observed both in historic populations (Leet, 1977;Lee, 1987) and in country-level comparisons today (Lutz et al, 2006). Countries with high population density tend to be highly urbanized, and today, urban residence is universally associated with low fertility (United Nations, 1987).…”