What caused East Asia's rapid fall in fertility?
East Asia experienced a rapid reduction in fertility. In 1960, Singaporean women were typically having more than 6 children. By 1975, it was down to two!
What led to this enormous shift?
And why did it occur simultaneously across East Asia?
Strong states?
Some might argue that East Asia’s strong states engineered a rapid reduction in fertility, enabling women to seize new jobs in industrialising cities. But this is unconvincing. Outside China’s One Child Policy, East Asian family planning policies largely voluntary. We therefore need to explain East Asians’ readiness to reduce their fertility, capitalise on economic growth, and achieve upward mobility.
