Fact Check: "Colombia's fertility rate has dropped to a shocking 1.06 births per woman."
What We Know
The claim that Colombia's fertility rate has dropped to 1.06 births per woman is misleading. According to the World Bank, the fertility rate in Colombia for 2023 was approximately 1.645 births per woman. Furthermore, projections indicate that the fertility rate for 2025 is expected to be around 1.70 births per woman, reflecting a slight decline from previous years but still above the claimed figure of 1.06 births per woman (Macrotrends).
Recent discussions in media outlets, such as The Atlantic, have suggested that Colombia's birth rate is declining, but the specific figure of 1.06 appears to be an exaggeration or misinterpretation of the data. The actual number of births reported in 2024 was 445,000, which translates to a fertility rate of around 1.71 births per woman, not 1.06.
Analysis
The assertion that Colombia's fertility rate has plummeted to 1.06 births per woman lacks credible support. The data from reputable sources such as the World Bank and Macrotrends consistently indicate that the fertility rate is higher than the claim suggests.
While it is true that Colombia's fertility rate has been declining over the years, the figures reported by the World Bank and other demographic studies do not corroborate the extreme drop to 1.06. The sources used to support the claim, particularly media articles, may not have accurately represented the statistical data or could have been misinterpreted.
Additionally, the reliability of the sources is crucial. The World Bank and Macrotrends are established organizations that utilize comprehensive data collection methodologies, including national censuses and surveys, making their data more reliable than anecdotal reports or less rigorously sourced articles.
Conclusion
Verdict: False. The claim that Colombia's fertility rate has dropped to 1.06 births per woman is not supported by credible data. The actual fertility rate is approximately 1.645 births per woman as of 2023, with projections indicating it will remain above 1.06 in the coming years. This discrepancy highlights the importance of verifying statistical claims with reliable sources.
Sources
- List of countries by total fertility rate
- Colombia Travel: Official tourism guide
- Colombia Fertility Rate (1950-2025)
- Colombia Travel: Portal Oficial de Turismo
- Colombia Travel: Guia oficial de turismo
- The Birth-Rate Crisis Is Even Worse Than You've Heard
- About Colombia | Tourism | Colombia Travel
- Colombia - Fertility Rate, Total (births Per Woman)
