i) With improved prosperity comes enhanced life expectancy, so you don't need to have as many offspring to ensure you'll be looked after in your dotage - a moot point with half- decent welfare states, but nevertheless at least a subconscious consideration.

ii) With economic growth often comes the need for both partners to work. This delays reproduction and thus the birth rate - because of a shorter reproductive period and also because fertility rates drop with age, multiplying the effect.

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