41

Question 41

The total fertility rate in an economy is defined as:

AOptions

A
A) the number of children born per 1000 people in the population in a year.
B
B) the number of children born to a couple in their lifetime in a given population.
C
C) the birth rate minus death rate.
D
D) the average number of live births a woman would have by the end of her child-bearing age.

BSolution

The correct definition of the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) is D) the average number of live births a woman would have by the end of her child-bearing age.

Let's look at the other options: * A) The number of children born per 1000 people in the population in a year: This describes the Crude Birth Rate (CBR). * B) The number of children born to a couple in their lifetime in a given population: This is a less precise definition and can be confused with TFR, but TFR specifically aggregates across all women in a population, assuming current age-specific fertility rates persist, and refers to a woman's lifetime. * C) The birth rate minus death rate: This calculates the natural growth rate of a population.

TFR is a hypothetical measure that represents the average number of children that would be born to a woman over her lifetime if she were to experience the exact current age-specific fertility rates through her childbearing years, and she were to survive throughout her childbearing years. It's a standard demographic indicator used to assess fertility levels and future population trends.
Solution Diagram

CStrategy

For definitions of economic/demographic terms, be precise. Distinguish TFR from Crude Birth Rate and natural growth rate. TFR is a hypothetical measure, reflecting potential completed family size.

DSyllabus Analysis

Economy: Demography (Population Characteristics, Fertility Rates). Social Issues.

EQuestion Analysis

This is a factual question from Economics/Demography. It tests the precise definition of a key demographic indicator. The options are well-crafted to test understanding of different population metrics. Easy difficulty.