What term is used to describe the ability of women of childbearing age to reproduce?

Fertility refers to the natural ability of an individual or population to reproduce. When discussing women of childbearing age, fertility indicates their capacity to conceive and bear children. This term encompasses various factors, including biological, social, and environmental influences that can affect reproductive health.

In contrast, mortality relates to the rate of death within a population and has no direct connection to reproduction. Demography is the statistical study of populations, including the structure, distribution, and trends, but does not specifically denote the ability to reproduce. Infertility, on the other hand, describes the inability to conceive after a year of trying or the inability to carry a pregnancy to full term, thus it stands in opposition to the concept of fertility.

Understanding these terms in the context of sociology and population studies is crucial for analyzing reproductive patterns and trends within societies.