Fertility rate of Brazil 1875-2020

The total fertility rate of Brazil at the end of the nineteenth century was approximately 6.3 births per woman; this means that the average woman of reproductive age would have roughly 6 children in their lifetime. Brazil's fertility rate then decreased and plateaued at just under six children per women in the first half of the twentieth century, before increasing slightly in the 1940s; this increase coincides with the worldwide baby boom that was experienced in the aftermath of the Second World War, during which time Brazil's economy and political landscape stabilized. From the late 1960s onwards, Brazil's fertility rate went into decline, and dropped by approximately three children per woman in the next three decades. This decline is similar to that of many other developing nations during this time, where access to contraception, improved education and declining infant and child mortality rates contributed to lower fertility rate across the globe. In the past fifteen years, Brazil's fertility rate has continued to decrease (albeit, at a much slower rate than in previous decades) and in 2020, it is expected to be at just 1.7 children per woman.