1993 年 59 巻 3 号 p. 136-143
The relationship between total fertility rate (TFR) and infant mortality rate (IMR) in 1984, 1988 and 1991 for all countries was analyzed, using world Population Data Sheet published by the United Nations. The results indicated that no relationship existed between TFR and IMR in each of the years for the countries whose IMR was 100 and over, although the strong positive correlation was found between them for countries whose IMR was less than 100. The changes of TFR and IMR between the respective years were compared for the countries whose IMR was 100 and over in 1984. For all these countries, the proportions of countries which TFR and IMR decreased were 40% in 1984-1988, 45% in 1988-1991 and 49% in 1984-1991, respectively. Meanwhile, those which IMR decreased and TFR increased were 23% in 1984-1988, 26% in 1988-1991 and 27% in 1984-1991, respectively. Furthermore, 77% of the countries whose IMR was 100 and over in 1984 decreased in IMR until 1988. Among those, 54% decreased in TFR until 1991, while 46% did not. The results show that TFR does not necessarily follow the decline of IMR for the high-IMR-countries.