The Decline in Fertility Rates in the United States
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BABYMAKING, IT SEEMS, is not as popular as it used to be. In 1990 America’s fertility rate—the number of births per 1,000 women between the ages of 15 and 44—stood at 70.9. By 2005 it was down to 66.7. Provisional figures for 2022 show it falling to just 56.1. In only two states—Louisiana and North Dakota—has the fertility rate risen since 2005 (see maps). What is behind the decline?
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
- Goal 4: Quality Education
- Goal 5: Gender Equality
- Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
- Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
Factors Contributing to the Decline in Fertility Rates
- Changing societal attitudes towards having children
- Increased access to contraception and family planning services
- Delayed marriage and childbearing due to educational and career opportunities
- Economic factors, such as the rising cost of raising children
- Improved healthcare and advancements in reproductive technologies
- Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on family planning decisions
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The article discusses the decline in America’s fertility rate, which has implications for various Sustainable Development Goals. It touches upon issues related to health and well-being (SDG 3), gender equality (SDG 5), decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), reduced inequalities (SDG 10), and the need for strong institutions to address these challenges (SDG 16).
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services, including for family planning, information, and education.
- Target 5.4: Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services, infrastructure, and social protection policies.
- Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities.
- Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
- Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
The article highlights the need for universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services (Target 3.7), recognition of unpaid care and domestic work (Target 5.4), achievement of full and productive employment (Target 8.5), promotion of social and economic inclusion (Target 10.2), and the importance of strong institutions and equal access to justice (Target 16.3).
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
The article does not explicitly mention specific indicators. However, some potential indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets include:
- Percentage of women with access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services
- Recognition and inclusion of unpaid care and domestic work in national policies and social protection systems
- Employment rates and gender pay gap
- Measures of social and economic inclusion, such as poverty rates and access to education and healthcare
- Availability and effectiveness of legal systems and institutions ensuring equal access to justice
These indicators would provide insights into the progress made in achieving the targets related to healthcare access, gender equality, decent work, reduced inequalities, and strong institutions.
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services, including for family planning, information, and education. | Percentage of women with access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services |
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | Target 5.4: Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services, infrastructure, and social protection policies. | Recognition and inclusion of unpaid care and domestic work in national policies and social protection systems |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities. | Employment rates and gender pay gap |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status. | Measures of social and economic inclusion, such as poverty rates and access to education and healthcare |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. | Availability and effectiveness of legal systems and institutions ensuring equal access to justice |
Copyright: Dive into this article, curated with care by SDG Investors Inc. Our advanced AI technology searches through vast amounts of data to spotlight how we are all moving forward with the Sustainable Development Goals. While we own the rights to this content, we invite you to share it to help spread knowledge and spark action on the SDGs.
Fuente: economist.com
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