I think your statement is more true in still developing countries, like in the example of Bangladesh where one COULD still afford 4-5 kids. But I don’t think that explains things like immigrants conforming to the new host countries birth rate within a generation. Certainly attitudes may change, women may have more freedom, choices and equality. But even among families where they may still have more patriarchal traditions, the male is also in on the idea of having less kids because he can’t afford to provide for a half dozen kids.
Again, I remember 10ish years ago these panic videos in Europe that the influx of immigrants will have them bred into a minority in like 4 generations (if they were to keep their average birthrate of where they came from.) There is similar propaganda for Mexican and South American immigrants here.
But yes, I agree with your premise. Even in places with lower birth rates, like the US, access to options and making their own choices is the #1 thing to reduce unwanted pregnancies. Everyone who is anti-abortion should be pro education and pro free contraception. The program in Colorado is a great case study to show it works.
