How does gender equality typically influence population trends?

Gender equality plays a significant role in shaping population trends, particularly in terms of birth rates. When women have equal access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities, they are empowered to make informed decisions about their reproductive health. This empowerment typically translates into greater control over when and how many children they have, often leading to family planning initiatives that result in lower birth rates.

As women gain access to education and career opportunities, they tend to marry later and prioritize their professional and personal aspirations, which can contribute to a decrease in the overall number of children they choose to have. Additionally, when women are educated and have their rights respected, they are more likely to have access to contraceptive methods and reproductive health services, further allowing them to space and plan their pregnancies effectively.

In contrast, other options suggest increased birth rates or no effect at all, which do not align with the established relationship between gender equality and reproductive choices. The assertion that gender equality causes increased child mortality rates among women is also inaccurate; rather, empowering women often leads to improved health outcomes for both mothers and children, contributing positively to population health overall.