The comparison between developed and developing countries in the performance in implementing population policies is not sound because they are dealing with different types of problems. McDonald (2006) avers that there are several causes of low fertility in the developed countries. Two main causes are: social liberalism or reflexive modernization; and economic deregulation or the new capitalism. The former refers to the conditions of postmodernism. Modernization (coupled with organized capitalism) with emphasis on reason, certitude of science and industrialization caused the first demographic transition and fertility declined to 2-3 children.

Reflexive modernization or postmodernization led to the fulfilment of women's claims for gender equity, individualization of the individual, and lifted the lid on divorce. Simultaneously, economic deregulation made a revolutionary impact on the labour market: the end of “jobs for life”; increased demand for higher level of human capital; flexible employment; contractualization of jobs; unemployment; and uncertainties. Consequently, the reflexive modernization produced the second demographic transition in which fertility has gone below the replacement level. Will the industrially advanced, postmodern societies be able to have third demographic transition and improve fertility levels through state intervention or community action? There is no simple answer.

One can compare India and Bangladesh because they have similar policies and similar socio-economic characteristics. Both are developing countries with low income, large rural base and strong influence of religion and tradition. Both have antenatal policies. One cannot compare the effectiveness of the population policy between Mexico and France . In the two cases institutional mechanisms and conditions are very different.

It appears that with the end of the value of children, it is impossible to raise fertility unless new institutional mechanisms are developed which virtually coerce women to produce children. Merely giving them more facilities for producing children will not help. Any attempt to predict post-transitional fertility in the developed countries is in vain. It is more difficult to implement population policy effectively in the developed countries than in the developing countries. Yet, there are some who see that it is possible. For this society has to support the family, particularly the women.