Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Birth rate (B) is the number of live births per 1,000 individuals in a population per year. It is a critical factor in understanding population dynamics and growth patterns.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
Birth rate is influenced by factors such as healthcare, nutrition, and social conditions.
High birth rates can lead to overpopulation if not balanced by death rates and emigration.
Birth rate data is used to predict future population sizes and potential environmental impacts.
In ecological studies, birth rate helps determine the reproductive success of a species within its habitat.
Policies aimed at controlling population growth often target reducing high birth rates through family planning and education.
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Related terms
Death Rate (D): The number of deaths per 1,000 individuals in a population per year.
Fertility Rate: The average number of children born to a woman over her lifetime.
Population Growth Rate (PGR): The rate at which the number of individuals in a population increases in a given time period as a result of births, deaths, immigration, and emigration.