This volume examines two distinct low fertility scenarios that have emerged in economically
advanced countries since the turn of the 20th century: one in which fertility is at or near
replacement-level and the other where fertility is well below replacement. It explores the way
various institutions histories and cultures influence fertility in a diverse range of
countries in Asia Europe North America and Australia. The book features invited papers from
the Conference on Low Fertility Population Aging and Population Policy held December 2013 and
co-sponsored by the East-West Center and the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs
(KIHASA). It first presents an overview of the demographic and policy implications of the two
low fertility scenarios. Next the book explores five countries currently experiencing low
fertility rates: China Hong Kong Japan Singapore and South Korea. It then examines three
countries that have close to replacement-level fertility: Australia the Netherlands and the
United States. Each country is featured in a separate chapter written by a demographer with
expert knowledge in the area. Very low fertility is linked to a number of conditions countries
face including a declining population size. At the same time low fertility and its effect on
the age structure threatens social welfare policies. This book goes beyond the technical to
examine the core institutional policy and cultural factors behind this increasingly important
issue. It helps readers to make cross-country comparisons and gain insight into how diverse
institutions policies and culture shape fertility levels and patterns.
