The Caribbean Islands

Abstract

With high population densities, large proportions dependent on ag riculture, and rates of natural increase generally in excess of 2 per cent per year, the Caribbean exemplifies all the modern demographic problems of the under developed areas of the world. Fertility remains high, though there is some suggestion of a decline in Puerto Rico, and mortality has declined steeply in nearly all the islands. Recent emigration has reduced rates of growth in Puerto Rico and the British Islands, but the indications are that massive increments are to be expected unless definite policies of fertility control materialize.