Declining fertility in most cases reflects declines in child mortality and an increased likelihood that more children are educated.
Declining fertility is also an indication of women’s growing control over their reproductive lives. Additionally, the decrease in the number of children an average woman is likely to have during her childbearing years contributes to women’s improved wellbeing and is enabling more women to work.
The increase in those living into their sixties and beyond can in part be attributed to the success of health measures such as improved nutrition and sanitation – the goals of many global health policies.
Advances in medical technology, such as antibiotics, alongside development of modern healthcare systems have been very important in helping people to live longer lives.