natality

Natality, in demography, refers to the birth rate of a population—the tempo at which new individuals are produced. It is used to assess population growth and is distinct from mortality; together they shape population size and age structure. The term derives from Latin natalis for birth.

Measurement and indicators: The crude birth rate (CBR) equals the number of live births in a year per 1,000 population. Other measures include the general fertility rate (GFR), age-specific birth rates, and the total fertility rate (TFR), which sums age-specific rates to estimate the average children a woman would bear under current fertility patterns.

Determinants and trends: Natality is influenced by biological fecundity, timing of marriage, contraception, education, economic development, urbanization, and government policies. In early-stage demographic transition, natality is high; as development progresses, fertility declines leading to lower natality. Crude rates are affected by the age structure of the population.

Uses and limitations: Natality data inform planning for schools, healthcare, housing, and pensions. They are subject to reporting accuracy, registration delays, and definitions (live births vs stillbirths). They do not by themselves predict population growth without accounting for mortality and migration.

See also: fertility, mortality, population growth, demographic transition.