u/Available-Pick3918

Seeing the non-existence of many state-run censuses leaves most demographic data to be estimated by the UN. It is very likely that this data may be wildly over or under shooting the actually population and TFR of many countries especially in Africa or Asia. For example, I imagine that the Republic of Congo (not the DRC) is potentially a closer to 3.5 than the 4.16 estimated by the UN, based on Urbanism and vibes lol. But its a serious question and I wonder how much literature exists about the lack of knowledge we have about populations and what other indicators can be used to assess this.

I am an American and have been studying in France for the past 5 months on a semester abroad experience (so not exactly an expat) and have been dating a French girl for about 3 of these months. Recently we were watching a show that dealt with a marriage where one character was cheating on their spouse and we began talking about different perspectives on infidelity.

In my (maybe American) perspective, I explained that I found adultery completely intolerable and that it is morally wrong and dangerous (in the sense where you can expose someone to STDs unconsensually). She agreed slightly but argued that it is possible to love 2 people at the same time and that it is less ostracized in France. I asked if she would tell her friend if she was being cheated on by their boyfriend (something I would do) and she said that she would first ask the boyfriend’s perspective and then ask her friend if she would want to be told if they were being cheated on. I honestly thought this was a bit ridiculous (like who would say no to that?) and told her that I think that is not being a good friend. She also said that her Mother told her that if she knew her daughter was being cheated on, she wouldn't tell her. Now at this point I was pretty upset, because I think that is kind of insulting. And I made a big enough point of that just being disrespectful to your own daughter. (She told me later on that she talked to her Mom and she walked back those statements)

Now I am not worried about her cheating on me, but I can’t say I am a big fan of this mindset. I am curious if this is something you have noticed in French society among friends. I had traditionally thought the idea of French adultery is some sort of Anglo stereotype of French people. But maybe not?

Will this be the catalyst for a reversal? Seems like a realistic pt

Can someone explain to me which is a better metric for understanding the demographic shift? TFR is a prediction based on the relative number of women within a birthing range based on the Birth Rate, correct? So that is why we can have a country with a TFR of 1.8 have a lower birth rate than a country with 1.5?

For example the USA currently has a TFR of 1.58 with a birth rate of 10.6/1,000 women and
Bulgaria has a TFR of 1.63 with a birth rate of 7.8/1,000 women.

Based on this, shouldn't we be just using Birth Rate statistics over TFR? TFR seems to be unreliable indicator of active demographics momentum? Im sure someone can help me understand why this discrepancy exists between TFR and Birth Rate and why TFR is still important.