between and the percentage of governments with policies to raise fertility has also increased in developing regions from per cent in to per cent in while the percentage with policies to lower fertility has remained mostly unchanged per cent in and per cent in the percentage of governments with policies to lower fertility was highest in africa per cent whereas the percentage of governments with policies to raise fertility was highest in europe percent early childbearing also increases the risk of maternal death or physical impairment and children born to young mothers tend to have higher levels of morbidity and mortality