Changing Demographics in Mexico
The Graph of the Week comes from the article "Economic Implications of Mexico's Sudden Demographic Transition" by Fernando Sedano in the July 2008 Business Economics. From the article:
The most visible and, by far, the most important demographic change in Mexico is the abrupt 66 percent decline in fertility rates over the last three decades, from being one of the highest in the world at 6.5 children per woman in 1970 as shown in Figure 1, to the current estimate of 2.2, which is barely above the 2.1 level that is necessary for population replacement. The fertility decline is the key early indicator of the demographic transition and is generally a consequence of the falling mortality rate and rising life expectancy.
To find out more, see the abstract page. NABE members can read or download the article.