# On the Fertility of Rising Lands

**TOPIC 2**

**DECLINING FERTILITY AND THE CHANGING FILIPINO FAMILY**

The 2025 NDHS (National Demographic and Health Survey) reports a **Total Fertility Rate of 1.7 children per woman**, down from 1.9 in 2022. PSA also reports higher fertility in rural areas than urban areas, with **2.0 children per woman in rural areas versus 1.5 in urban areas**.

**MAIN DEEPENING QUESTION**

**Why might people living in highly urbanized regions such as Metro Manila and CALABARZON have fewer children than those in rural or less urbanized areas?** This problem has been a problem since humanity existed as in general, the more someone is wealthier, the less likely they choose to have children.   
  
Further Guide Questions

**Analyze the problem through the liminalities**

**1. Periurbanization:**  
How does the movement between rural and urban areas affect where young Filipinos live, work, marry, and raise families?

**2. Land-use mismatch:**  
What happens when residential areas are far from jobs, schools, childcare, healthcare, and transportation?

**3. Gentrification:**  
Could rising housing costs and the transformation of neighborhoods make family formation more difficult for young couples?

**GROUP/ INDIVIDUAL TASK**

Imagine that your group is advising a Philippine city in **2035**.

**What would a family-friendly city need to provide so that young adults who want children can realistically afford to build a family?**

Present **three changes** and explain which liminality each addresses.