Fertility levels and trends are analyzed for all countries according to type of data available, i.e.: for countries and territories with complete birth registrations (76; 43 developed and 33 developing), for those with systems other than civil registration (37), and for those with no available national statistical data on fertility since 1970 (86). Declines in birthrates have been registered in all 3 categories, each of which represents approximately 1/3 of the world's population. The effects of family planning programs on fertility are contrasted in 32 countries and territories with vigorous programs (Singapore, Mauritius, Taiwan, Costa Rica, Hong Kong, South Korea, Fiji, Colombia, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Chile, West Malaysia, Thailand, Egypt, and Indonesia) and 16 without vigorous programs (Algeria, Bangladesh, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Kenya, Mexico, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Peru, Syria, and Uganda). The data presented indicate that of the former group, Singapore and Mauritius had declines of over 50% in TFRs between 1960 and 1973-1974; Taiwan, Costa Rica, Hong Kong, and South Korea had declines of over 40% for the same time period, while Colombia, Sri Lanka, and Trinidad and Tobago experienced drops of over 30%. Fertility silhouettes charting ASFRs by time are provided for the 32 above-mentioned countries and territories and for 105 additional ones. Also included are a world population map classifying nations by CBRs and 2 graphs detailing changes in CBRs and in the absolute number of births between 1965-1974 for approximately 100 countries and territories. The case of China is discussed in detail and varying estimates of its past and present birthrates and fertility levels compared. The demographic transition theory, believed by many to be relevant to current efforts at fertility reduction, is discussed.