I understand that the more educated people are more aware of the responsibilities and risks of having children and they use protection more etc. but why is it ALWAYS that more literate and rich populations have lower birth rates? At one point, shouldn’t the literate and able people have children to contribute to the future of their countries?
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It is complicated, and related to many factors. But having children is something that poor people can do even with low income. (Though it may not be financially wise, it’s still possible.) Luxury travel, or high powered careers, or fancy cars aren’t an option, but having children is a possibility.
Imagine being at a buffet with only 3 foods on it. You are likely to try all 3, because the choices are so limited. That is what it is like to be poor. Having children is one of your choices, but your other choices are limited. Having children won’t stop you from traveling, retiring early, etc., because those aren’t choices you would have had anyway.
But imagine being at a buffet with 40 foods on it. You won’t try all 40 things. It’s too much. You choose the ones that suit you best, and you leave many of the foods untried. This is what it is like to be rich. You have more choices, so you take the ones you want the most, and you leave the others behind.
The unavoidable truth is that people seem to often prefer not to have children. We know this because when they have the knowledge and the money to prevent it, they do.
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