Showing papers in "Population today in 1997"
Journal Article•
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TL;DR: The unequal distribution of food within and among countries of the world, poverty as the main cause of hunger, the patterns of population growth, and future prospects are discussed, and the potential for reaching limits of agricultural expansion is revealed.
Abstract: This article discusses the unequal distribution of food within and among countries of the world poverty as the main cause of hunger the patterns of population growth and future prospects. The evidence reveals the potential for reaching limits of agricultural expansion. Widespread environmental destruction suggests that agricultural lands are declining. Current production patterns may not be sustainable. "Population growth is the single largest determinant of future needs." Farmers of the worlds poorest regions must produce food to meet the needs of a doubled population by 2050. The 1996 World Food Summit urged that agricultural policies emphasize environmentally sustainable production methods and a wider variety of crops that would include sorghum and millet. In the early 1990s 40% of Africas population was food-energy deficient. Africa has some of the highest population growth rates. Fertility stands at about 6 children/woman. Even with reduced fertility the African population is expected to double to 22% of world population by 2050. The East Asian population which is dominated by China is expected to reach 2.2 billion by 2050. South Asia includes some of the poorest and most densely populated countries; its population is expected to reach 2.2-3.3 billion by 2050. 43% of the malnourished population during 1990-92 lived in sub-Saharan Africa 22% lived in South Asia 16% lived in East and Southeast Asia 15% lived in Latin America and the Caribbean and 12% lived in the Near East and North Africa. The proportions of underweight children included 58% in South Asia 30% in sub-Saharan Africa 25% in the Near East and North Africa 24% in East and Southeast Asia and 12% in Latin America and the Caribbean. If everyone adopted a vegetarian diet and no food were wasted there would be enough food to feed 10 billion people. Malnourishment has the harshest effects on children rural populations the growing urban poor and victims of natural disasters.
123 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The Population Reference Bureau (PRB) released the revised and expanded third edition of Family Planning Saves Lives, which explores how family planning prevents maternal and child mortality; a new Rockefeller Foundation report described the success of family planning programs since the 1960s and charged the US government with backing away from its 30-year commitment.
Abstract:
Amid attempts by anti-abortionists to reinstate the Mexico City policy restricting US population and family planning financial assistance to agencies which do not provide abortion services, even with other funds, the US Congress, in 1996, cut funds for international family planning programs by 35% and froze funding for 5-9 months under a complex compromise. Some population organizations issued reports on the benefits of family planning programs overseas just as Congress prepared to vote on whether to release fiscal 1997 international family planning funds in March. The Population Reference Bureau (PRB) released the revised and expanded third edition of Family Planning Saves Lives, which explores how family planning prevents maternal and child mortality; a new Rockefeller Foundation report described the success of family planning programs since the 1960s and charged the US government with backing away from its 30-year commitment; and a US Agency for International Development study examined family planning's role in preventing abortion.
14 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Policymakers must be made to understand that family planning campaigns in operation in Bolivia and elsewhere are sensible cost-effective and long-term strategies for improving womens health strengthening families and lowering abortion rates.
Abstract: In Bolivia 50% of pregnant women experience pregnancy and childbirth without any medical attention. Bolivia has the highest rate of maternal mortality in South America. Family planning programs not only teach women about the benefits of spacing children several years apart breast feeding good nutrition prenatal and postpartum visits and safe deliveries they also reduce the incidence of abortion help to alleviate poverty and contribute to the economic stability of a country. The government nongovernmental organizations and the medical community therefore joined forces to launch a nationwide family planning campaign in Bolivia. The US Agency for International Development has provided Bolivia with financial and technical assistance to establish a network of primary health care clinics. The author US First Lady visited one of the clinics during her trip to participate in the Sixth Conference of Wives of Heads of State and Government of the Americas. The US Congress recently slashed funds for international family planning program assistance by 35% and added restrictions on the delivery schedule of aid for the first 9 months of the fiscal year. Similarly harsh cuts and delays are included in the current budget. A recent analysis by five population organizations found that these funding cuts will result in 1.6 million more abortions more than 8000 maternal deaths and 134000 infant deaths in developing countries. Policymakers must be made to understand that family planning campaigns in operation in Bolivia and elsewhere are sensible cost-effective and long-term strategies for improving womens health strengthening families and lowering abortion rates.
11 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: These new UN projections show that it is possible to achieve reductions in population growth in developing countries, and the assumptions behind these figures should be examined carefully, however, before they are used.
Abstract: The UN Population Division current projection of a world population between 7.7 and 11.2 billion by 2050 is lower than the 1994 projection of 7.9-11.9 billion. This new projection is based on reduced total fertility rates in many regions. It is particularly difficult to make population projections in developing countries because demographers must base these projections on assumptions about birth and death rates. The UN therefore provides four projections based on various assumptions: high medium low and constant fertility variants. The medium projection is usually labeled "most likely" to occur and assumes that fertility will converge at 2.1 children/woman by 2050. The low projection assumes that total fertility rate will decline to 1.6 and the high one uses a rate of 2.6. Constant fertility assumes that the 1990-95 fertility level of 3.0 will prevail and will produce a population of 15 billion by 2050. Projections for Africa indicate slightly slower growth because of the onset of fertility decline and the impact of AIDS which has reduced life expectancy by about 6 years. Asia had a lower overall birth rate than was assumed for the period 1990-95 due to a reduction in the crude birth rate of India for the period. The projection for Latin America was slightly lower because of a decrease in Brazils total fertility rate. Europes projected population decline in the medium figures reflects the "free-fall" in fertility seen in the former Soviet republics and the newly independent states. These new UN projections show that it is possible to achieve reductions in population growth in developing countries. The assumptions behind these figures should be examined carefully however before they are used.
9 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Migration joins population growth and social factors, such as land inequality, as major causes of deforestation, and global demand for water is expected to increase faster than the rate of population growth.
Abstract: The relationship between population growth resource consumption and environmental degradation is complex. The rise in "greenhouse gases" that will cause climatic change is clearly due to human activity and pollutants are often concentrated in densely populated areas. However even an area with a negative population growth such as Russia can experience severe environmental degradation due to poor management. Consumption patterns have the most effect on ozone depletion while population growth threatens biodiversity of and within species through the destruction of ecosystems. Migration joins population growth and social factors such as land inequality as major causes of deforestation and global demand for water is expected to increase faster than the rate of population growth. Coastal development and over-fishing threaten to deplete the oceans while soil quality is threatened by inappropriate land use. Estimates of the earths carrying capacity range from less than 3 billion to more than 44 billion people indicating how difficult it is to assess this figure. Development efforts throughout the world may lead to human gains that will ultimately be negated by environmental losses. These factors have led to growing support for environmentally sustainable development.
7 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: According to Iran's 1996 census, the country's population was 60 million, about 6-7 million people fewer than estimates used by the UN and other international organizations, indicating a remarkable decline in fertility.
Abstract: According to Irans 1996 census the countrys population was 60 million about 6-7 million people fewer than estimates used by the UN and other international organizations. These findings surprised Iranian demographers and have been examined with skepticism outside of the country. However if Irans 1986 and 1996 censuses are comparable and children were not undercounted these results indicate a remarkable decline in fertility. The proportion of Irans population under age 5 years fell from 18% in 1986 to 10% in 1996. An Institut National dEtudes Demographiques Paris study published in 1996 estimated that Irans total fertility rate (TFR) fell from an average of 6.2 children/woman in 1986 to 3.5 in 1993. However based upon analyses of sample surveys the Iranian governments health ministry reported that the TFR dropped from 5.0 in 1991 to 3.3 in 1995. Irrespective of questions over the magnitude of Irans fertility decline it is clear that the Iranian government is committed to limiting population growth. The UN Population Fund considers Irans family planning program to be one of the worlds best-functioning with the Ministry of Health Care and Medical Education providing free contraceptives. A bill was passed in 1993 which penalizes couples who have more than 3 children and posters around the country encourage the one- or two-child family. Irans family planning program is integrated into the national primary health care system and provides a broad range of reproductive health services to women. The program is also the only one in the region which promotes both male and female sterilization.
6 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: A National Fatherhood Initiative is attempting to improve the well-being of children by increasing the number of responsible fathers by improving data collection on fathers.
Abstract: In the US family researchers have focused on gathering data from mothers because demographers questioned the accuracy of information gleaned from fathers. Consequently little is known about the role of men in families. To rectify this situation a National Fatherhood Initiative is attempting to improve the well-being of children by increasing the number of responsible fathers. On the federal level President Clinton ordered that every federal agency work toward strengthening the role of fathers in families and incorporate fathers in appropriate research activities. This led to the formation of the Fatherhood Initiative coordinated by the Domestic Policy Council to increase the involvement of fathers in family life and to improve data collection on fathers (thus the Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics held a series of meetings on the issue in 1996 and 1997 as well as a "town meeting" on fathering and male fertility in March 1996). A 1996 conference on "father involvement" allowed researchers to present results such as 1) children of fathers who are involved in parent-teacher associations acquire more education and income as adults 2) most unmarried fathers maintain a close relationship with at least one child 3) children reared without fathers have more behavioral problems and lower test scores and 4) sons reared without fathers are more likely to become adolescent fathers and to live apart from their children. Accurate data on fathers are crucial for developing appropriate welfare reform and child support policies and programs and efforts are being made to improve data-collection methods.
5 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: A pronatalist policy in Europe would allow women to have the 2 children they desire rather than the 1.5 they now have, which would eventually alleviate the age imbalance as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: There is no global population issue because there is no global government. Overpopulation as the worlds monolithic population problem is overly simplistic and may lead to extreme positions. Problems are also caused by slow population growth as for the 25% of the worlds population who live in countries with age structure imbalances. Nearly all of world population growth comes from less-developed countries. By the year 2000 inhabitants of poor countries are expected to number 5 billion a 5-fold increase in this century. Europes population may decline from 728 million today to 563 million by 2050. The implosion of population in developed countries and the population explosion in developing ones creates problems. Nations must address these problems. A pronatalist policy in Europe would allow women to have the 2 children they desire rather than the 1.5 they now have. The increase in fertility would eventually alleviate the age imbalance. Trade and economic policies could encourage trade rather than aid. European countries should also shift to more generous immigration policies such as those in the United States. This could also ease the age dependency burden and demands for labor. Crucial to all efforts however is increasing fertility in Europe. It is now true that countries where women have the highest status (such as Scandinavian countries) often have higher fertility rates. Policies should be based on mutual understanding and recognition of the socioeconomic realities.
4 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: A new US law criminalizes female genital mutilation (FGM) and requires notification of this fact to immigrants from Africa and the Middle East and US representative to international financial institutions are directed to oppose issuance of foreign aid to countries that lack established educational programs to eradicate FGM.
Abstract: A new US law criminalizes female genital mutilation (FGM) and requires notification of this fact to immigrants from Africa and the Middle East. In addition US representative to international financial institutions are directed to oppose issuance of foreign aid to countries that lack established educational programs to eradicate FGM. FGM involves a range of procedures characterized by the amount of tissue removed and may be carried out in infants adolescents or new mothers. Complications include death debilitating illness and increased risk during child birth. FGM is firmly entrenched in countries in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of the Arab peninsula and extends to a few groups in Asia and immigrant populations in developed countries. Most women in an Egyptian study had undergone FGM and justified the practice as a way of reducing sexual desire and thus preserving premarital virginity. Many women also consider FGM a religious requirement but this claim is unsubstantiated. Successful eradication campaigns in Kenya have preserved the social and coming-of-age ritual aspects of the practice while rejecting the physical mutilation and efforts in Nigeria have focuses on health education. A New York-based group working to eradicate FGM has criticized the new US law because it requires education of affected communities without allocating the necessary funding. The group charges that the new law needs revision to remove criminal liability from family members who may object to a proposed FGM procedure but fail to report or stop it.
3 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: World population will continue to grow, even after replacement-level fertility of 2 children/woman is reached, due to population momentum, and evidence of fertility declines in the world is summarized.
Abstract: This article summarizes basic statistics on population growth concepts about population momentum and evidence of fertility declines in the world. World population was about 5.84 billion in mid-1997. 86 million people are added yearly. Almost 1 billion people are added every 11 years. The first billion was reached in the early 1800s and each billion took fewer and fewer years to attain. World population is expected to expand until about 2050 and level off after 2150. Dramatic declines in death rates and health improvements contributed to smaller numbers of children per woman. Absolute increases are due to population momentum which is the continued large concentration of women in the childbearing years. World population will continue to grow even after replacement-level fertility of 2 children/woman is reached due to population momentum. Developing countries continue to have a young age structure and high birth rates which result in higher population growth. 35% of population in developing countries is aged under 15 years and almost 50% of population in sub-Saharan African countries is aged under 15 years. Fertility has declined in most regions with the exception of sub-Saharan Africa. All developing regions have above replacement-level fertility. Declines to below replacement-level fertility in developed countries is attributed to improvements in health for women and children greater use of family planning and more education for women and girls. Fertility is high where infant mortality is high. Family planning allows mothers to have healthier children.
2 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The Population Reference Bureau's (PRB) figures for world population showed a mid-1997 total world population estimate of 5.84 billion, with Europe is the first major region to experience a natural decrease of 0.1%.
Abstract: This newsbrief reports that the Population Reference Bureaus (PRB) figures for world population showed a mid-1997 total world population estimate of 5.84 billion. The world fertility rate was approximately 3 children/woman but ranged from 1.6 in more developed countries to 4.0 in less developed countries excluding China. PRB also released figures on maternal mortality. The maternal mortality ratio (MMR) ranged from under 5 deaths per 100000 live births to 1000/100000 in the poorest countries. The MMR was highest in Africa at almost 900/100000. The lowest MMRs in Africa were found in Botswana at 250/100000 and Namibia at 370/100000. High MMRs of over 1500/100000 occurred in Angola Chad Guinea Mozambique Sierra Leone and Somalia. High MMRs of over 1500/100000 in Asia occurred in Afghanistan Bhutan and Nepal. The lowest MMR in Asia was found in Japan at 9/100000. MMRs in Latin America were low for developing countries at about 180/100000 but high compared to the US MMR of 8/100000. Maternal mortality is reduced by improved access to family planning services community-based maternity care and adequate emergency obstetric care. The annual rate of growth in 1997 was 1.47% compared to 1.52% in 1996. Unless this growth rate changes the world population will double from 5.8 to 11.6 billion in 47 years. Currently 80% of world population or 4665641000 people live in developing countries. The population of 1174792000 in developed countries has hardly increased over the past year. Europe is the first major region to experience a natural decrease of 0.1%. The declines are due to inclusion of eastern European countries. The worlds lowest fertility rate is found in Italy and Spain with only 1.2 children/woman. Bulgaria and the Czech Republic are approaching this figure.