A 2.1% fertility rate is what a society needs to maintain to support the economy. So essentially this means that we need two working productive children to replace two retired parents who do not contribute to the work force anymore. The US has been able to maintain this rate because of immigration and other factors. Legal and illegal immigrants bring a lot to the table when it comes to supporting our economy. In my opinion, if they were to all of the sudden disappear our economy would be in shambles. If the US continues its policy of deporting illegal immigrants at these rates they should encourage Americans to have larger families so that their children can help support our economy in the future. How many are in your family?
For the first time in 35 years, the U.S. fertility rate has climbed high enough to sustain a stable population, solidifying the nation's unique status among industrialized countries.
The overall fertility rate increased 2 percent between 2005 and 2006, nudging the average number of babies being born to each woman to 2.1, according to the latest federal statistics. That marks the first time since 1971 that the rate has reached a crucial benchmark of population growth: the ability of each generation to replace itself.
"It's been quite a long time since we've had a rate this high," said Stephanie J. Ventura of the National Center for Health Statistics. "It's a milestone."
I hope this trend continues for the sake of families and our economy.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/20/AR2007122002725.html
No comments:
Post a Comment