Doc: Birth rate not ideal

Article by RANDY BENNETT

MINISTER OF EDUCATION Ronald Jones may have a point after all.

Jones’ repeated calls for Barbadian families to have more children to help counter the effects on national productivity of the ageing population might be more than just hot air, as statistics have revealed that the current fertility rate of 1.7 is below the ideal number of 2.1.

That number is also significantly lower than the average of 4.42 births per woman which was recorded in Barbados during the 1950s.

This was revealed by associate director of clinical medical services at the Barbados Family Planning Association (BFPA) Dr Shanae Gill, during a media briefing at United Nations House yesterday, as part of activities to mark World Population Day. (RB)

Please read the full story in today’s Weekend Nation, or in the eNATION edition.