QCOSTARICA — In 2024, Costa Rica had one of the lowest total fertility rates in the world, according to Statista data published in April.
According to the online statistics portal, Costa Rica reported a fertility rate of just 1.43 children per woman, ranking it 14th worldwide.
The fertility rate is a demographic indicator that measures the average number of children a woman has throughout her reproductive life, usually between the ages of 15 and 45.
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This index is influenced not only by biological factors but also by cultural, social, and economic factors.
Today, countries with higher levels of development and access to reproductive health services tend to report lower rates.
This decline in fertility is not unique to Costa Rica, and many places in Latin America, once known for their high birth rates, are undergoing this demographic transition. However, it is more noticeable in our country.
To put this into context, in 2013, Costa Rican women had an average of 1.76 children at the end of their fertile period, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC).
This was already below the population replacement level of approximately 2.1 children per woman, the minimum number of children needed for a population to remain stable without migration.
Since 2021, Costa Rica has experienced ultra-low fertility rates, below 1.5 children per woman.
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By 2023, this average had dropped to 1.19 children, marking the worst decline in ten years.
Factors such as greater access to education, especially among women, female entry into the labor market, widespread use of contraceptives, postponing motherhood, and economic uncertainty have significantly contributed to this decline.
The phenomenon is also a response to cultural changes, as new generations prioritize their professional development, access to housing, and economic stability before considering motherhood or fatherhood.
There is also a sustained increase in the number of people choosing not to have children, something that decades ago was not so common or socially accepted.
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Globally, Asia leads the way with the lowest fertility rates, where, for example, in Taiwan and South Korea, women have barely one child during their entire reproductive life.
Italy and Poland also stand out on the list, and Ukraine is in the top 5.
In Latin America, Puerto Rico stands out in 6th place with a rate of 1.26 children per woman.
In contrast, the five countries with the highest fertility rates in the world are all in Africa. Niger stands out, where the average is almost seven children per woman.
Countries with the lowest total fertility rates in the world in 2024:
1. Taiwan 1.11
2. South Korea 1.12
3. Singapore 1.17
4. Ukraine 1.22
5. Hong Kong & Macau 1.24
6. Moldova, Puerto Rico & Italy 1.26
7. Spain 1.30
8. Poland 1.32
9. Montserrat 1.33
10. Mauritius 1.36
…
14. Costa Rica 1.43
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