total fertility rate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "total fertility rate" is a correct and commonly used term in written English.
It refers to the average number of children that a woman will have in her lifetime in a specific country or population. You can use "total fertility rate" when discussing demographics, population growth, or family planning. Here is an example sentence: "The total fertility rate in Japan has declined significantly in the past decade, leading to an aging population and concerns about the future workforce."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The total fertility rate is contentious.

The Economist

Total fertility rate (avg. births per childbearing woman; 2005): 1.72.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"But you can't go on forever with a total fertility rate of 1.2.

The New York Times - Magazine

When demographers peer into the future, the key figure that they look at is the total fertility rate, or T.F.R.

The New Yorker

In that same 40 years, Malawi's population quadrupled, and the total fertility rate now averages six children per woman.

The New York Times

That has a short-term effect on the total fertility rate.

The Economist

In 1990 the continent's total fertility rate was over six, compared with two in East Asia.

The Economist

The average age of mothers rose from 30.2 in 2014 to 30.3 years, and the total fertility rate in England and Wales decreased to 1.82 children per woman.

The Guardian

Much hangs on the question of the "total fertility rate" – or the number of children a woman has on average during her lifetime.

The Guardian

Women born in Romania and the Czech Republic had "the highest total fertility rate of any EU country of birth (2.93 and 2.77 respectively)".

The Guardian

The government and social commentators fret over the country's birth rate -- one of the world's lowest with a total fertility rate of 1.19 live births per woman.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing population trends, clearly define the time frame for the "total fertility rate" being cited to provide context for comparisons across different periods.

Common error

Avoid confusing the "total fertility rate", which is a projection based on current trends, with the actual number of births occurring in a specific year. The TFR is a synthetic rate and not a direct count of live births.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "total fertility rate" functions as a noun phrase that names a specific demographic metric. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a commonly used term in English, functioning as a key indicator in population studies and demographic analysis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

34%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "total fertility rate" is a widely used and grammatically correct term in English that describes the average number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves as a crucial metric in demographic studies and population analysis. Its usage spans across diverse contexts, including news media, scientific research, and encyclopedic references. While its formality leans towards neutral, it is also prevalent in more formal academic and governmental settings. The phrase finds usage in authoritative sources like The Economist, The Guardian, and The New York Times. When using the term, clearly define the period and avoid confusing it with the current birth rate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fertility rate

Shorter version of the phrase, omitting "total", but referring to the same concept.

TFR (Total Fertility Rate)

Acronym of the phrase.

average birth rate per woman

Focuses on the average number of births.

number of children per woman

Emphasizes the quantity of offspring per female.

childbearing rate

Emphasizes the rate at which women bear children.

reproductive rate

Highlights the general rate of reproduction within a population.

birth rate per capita

Focuses on the birth rate relative to the population size.

population replacement rate

Refers to the rate needed to maintain population levels.

family size

Refers to the average number of children within families.

potential natality

Emphasizes the potential for births within a population.

FAQs

How is "total fertility rate" used in demographic studies?

The "total fertility rate" is used to predict future population sizes and to assess the balance between generations. It helps demographers understand if a population is likely to grow, shrink, or remain stable.

What does a "total fertility rate" of 2.1 indicate?

A "total fertility rate" of 2.1, also known as the replacement rate, indicates that a population is at equilibrium. Each couple is, on average, having enough children to replace themselves, accounting for mortality.

How do social policies affect the "total fertility rate"?

Government policies such as parental leave, childcare subsidies, and access to contraception can significantly impact the "total fertility rate". Supportive policies often correlate with higher TFRs, while restrictive policies may lead to lower rates.

What factors influence the "total fertility rate" in a country?

Factors such as education levels, economic stability, access to healthcare, and cultural norms can influence the "total fertility rate". Higher education and economic development often correlate with lower TFRs due to increased opportunities for women and delayed family formation.