Population Momentum

Population momentum refers to the tendency of a population to continue growing even after fertility rates decline. It occurs when there is a large cohort of women of reproductive age in a population. Despite each woman having fewer children than the previous generation, the sheer number of women in their reproductive years leads to a sustained increase in population over the next generation. This phenomenon is often seen in countries where there has been a significant decrease in fertility rates.

Explanation:

1. Definition of Population Momentum:
Population momentum is the continued growth of a population even after fertility rates decline. It occurs due to the large number of individuals in the reproductive age group, leading to a high number of potential births.

2. Decline in Fertility Rates:
The statement mentions that each woman in the cohort has fewer children than the previous generation. This indicates a decline in fertility rates. Various factors can contribute to lower fertility rates, such as increased access to education, healthcare, family planning, and changing societal norms.

3. Large Cohort of Women of Reproductive Age:
A significant factor in population momentum is the existence of a large cohort of women in their reproductive years. These women have the potential to bear children, even if they have fewer children on average. The size of this cohort determines the population growth potential.

4. Sustained Population Growth:
Due to the large cohort of women, even a lower average number of children per woman can lead to a sustained population growth over the next generation. The population continues to increase because the number of births still exceeds the number of deaths, despite reduced fertility rates.

5. Example:
For example, let's consider a country with a high population and high fertility rates. As access to education and healthcare improves, fertility rates start to decline. However, there is still a large cohort of women who are in their reproductive age. Even if each woman in this cohort has fewer children than her mother did, the overall number of births remains high due to the large number of women. This leads to population growth over the next generation.

In conclusion, population momentum occurs when a large cohort of women of reproductive age fuels population growth, even if each woman has fewer children than the previous generation. It highlights the importance of considering the demographics of a population when analyzing future population trends.