The state of Israel is bucking the trend: It has a very high fertility rate for a developed nation. What's behind it? In addition to things like a high per capita income and high levels of literacy, one of the defining characteristics of a "developed" country is a low fertility rate. We've often spoken of the demographic crisis facing industrialized countries. No member of the European Union has a "replacement level" fertility rate. Even with high levels of immigration, most members' populations are on a downward trajectory. In East Asia, the outlook is even bleaker. In Japan, more adult diapers...
