Over the last century, how has the global population trend been characterized?

The global population trend over the last century has been characterized by significant growth despite a decrease in fertility rates. This phenomenon can be attributed to several factors.

One major reason is advancements in healthcare and technology, which have significantly reduced mortality rates, particularly infant and maternal mortality. As families have access to better medical care, life expectancy has increased, contributing to population growth.

Additionally, during the latter half of the 20th century and into the 21st century, many countries experienced a demographic transition. While fertility rates declined due to urbanization, increased education, and family planning initiatives, the population continued to grow because the number of people in reproductive age has increased.

Thus, even though individual couples may have fewer children, the sheer size of the population amplifies the overall growth rate. This dynamic leads to a situation where the population rises, even in the face of declining fertility rates, marking a complex interplay between birth rates, death rates, and population age structure.