THE 2008 GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS AND ITS IMPACT ON FERTILITY IN THE WORLD

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the implications of the financial crisis that has swept the world in September 2008 and its effects on the population growth rate, for population groups varied economically, socially and culturally. The general fertility rate was used which attributed the number of children born to women, as a scale to measure the impact of the effects of this crisis on the fertility of these groups. This study showed that the global financial crisis has led to reduction in income in most population groups which were met with an escalation in actual fertility rates, which in turn led to a high rate of population growth. This matter may be normal in the Group of developing countries, but for developed countries it was unexpected since those countries endeavoring through population policy to increase their fertility, even if they were of higher income rates, as they fall under the Group of elder countries, which are in urgent need of fertility, in order to offset the loss of large numbers in the labor market as a result of retirement. This study found that the negative effects on income have produced an important positive impact represented in the high rate of growth of the population, as a result of the impact low income on fertility.