Calculating TFR: AP Environmental Science Examples & Practice

📚 Topic Summary

The Total Fertility Rate (TFR) is the average number of children a woman is expected to have during her reproductive years, assuming current birth rates remain constant. It's a key indicator of population growth and is influenced by factors like access to healthcare, education, economic conditions, and cultural norms. A TFR of approximately 2.1 is considered the replacement rate, meaning the population will remain stable (excluding migration effects). Higher TFRs indicate a growing population, while lower TFRs suggest a declining population.

🔤 Part A: Vocabulary

Match the following terms with their definitions:

1. Term: Total Fertility Rate (TFR)
2. Term: Replacement Rate
3. Term: Demographic Transition
4. Term: Infant Mortality Rate
5. Term: Life Expectancy

Definitions:

1. The average number of years a newborn infant would live if mortality patterns remained unchanged.
2. The number of deaths of infants under one year old per 1,000 live births.
3. The average number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime.
4. The rate at which a population remains stable (approximately 2.1 in developed countries).
5. A shift in population characteristics as a country develops, moving from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates.

✍️ Part B: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the following paragraph using the words provided: population, 2.1, education, healthcare, TFR.

The _______ is a crucial indicator of future _______ growth. Factors like access to _______ and _______ influence the TFR significantly. A TFR of around _______ is considered the replacement rate, suggesting a stable population size.

🤔 Part C: Critical Thinking

Discuss how government policies might influence the Total Fertility Rate in a country. Provide specific examples. 🌎