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?

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.