What social change helped to most reduce fertility rates in less developed countries?

Providing more education for girls is a crucial factor in reducing fertility rates in less developed countries. When girls receive education, they are more likely to understand the implications of family planning and have greater knowledge about reproductive health. Education empowers women, leading them to delay marriage and childbirth, pursue careers, and have fewer children overall.

Additionally, educated women are more likely to participate in decision-making regarding their families and have the confidence to advocate for their reproductive rights. This shift not only influences their own families' fertility decisions but also contributes to broader societal changes, such as improved health outcomes and economic stability.

While access to healthcare, employment opportunities, and contraception also play significant roles in shaping fertility rates, the empowerment facilitated by education for girls tends to have a foundational impact that leads to sustained changes in reproductive behavior and attitudes towards family size.