To analyze the population growth of the two countries, we need to consider the total fertility rate (TFR) and the timing of childbirth.
Both countries have a TFR of 3.5, which indicates that, on average, women in both countries are having enough children to replace the population. However, the key difference is that women in country A have their children about 2 years earlier than women in country B.
Having children earlier can lead to several demographic advantages:
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Longer Reproductive Window: Women in country A may have more children over their reproductive years because they start having children earlier. This can lead to a higher number of births over time, even if the TFR is the same.
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Population Momentum: If women in country A are having children earlier, they may also contribute to a larger base of the population in the younger age groups, which can lead to a faster population growth rate.
Given these factors, we can conclude that:
- The population of country A will likely increase faster than that of country B due to the earlier age of childbirth, which allows for more births over the same period.
Therefore, the correct answer is:
The population of country A will increase faster than that of country B.