Benin seemed so full of young people.  The average age of people here is only 18 (vs. 38 for the US).  Child mortality is high – about 15% of kids under the age of 5 will die (vs. .02% in the US).

There is an inverse correlation between wealth and birth rates: poorer countries have a higher birth rate than wealthier countries.  Development leads to lower birth rates, presumably because wealthier nations have better healthcare and food supply, reducing infant and childhood mortality and increasing life expectancy.

Having said that, although they are poor, these kids were happy.   Truly happy with a strong social network.