Comment by johngossman
17 hours ago
I doubt this explains the world-wide phenomenon, but regionally sure. I remember in the 90s when studies brought the Nigerian population estimates down this triggered a drop of growth forecasts across sub-Saharan Africa.
Edit: changed world-wife (which sounds interesting demographically) to world-wide
Sure, it is quite far-fetched. However it is extremely uncommon that we experience unified social trends all across the board, from liberal Finland or Japan to North Korea and Taliban-run Afghanistan. Usually there are odd reversals and exceptions here and there; not this time apparently. And we still lack a satisfying theory that could account for fertility decline in every country.
We do. It's called "urbanization".
Large cities are inherently inimical to living in large families. And yes, it was apparently the case even in the Roman Empire.