A “great divergence” in fertility?

Abstract

This chapter discusses post-transitional levels of fertility and between-country fertility differences in advanced societies. It focuses on Europe, North America, Oceania and East Asia and illustrates the “great divergence” in fertility between a group of countries with fertility close to replacement and a group of countries with fertility close to one child per couple. The latter group of countries is characterized by a weaker position of young people, and relatively weaker levels of well-being and/or gender equality. Analyses will help to outline the conditions under which the group of countries that are diverging to a lower level might “join the club” of those with fertility near replacement.