Los Angeles Times Examines Global Population Growth

July 24, 2012 — A Los Angeles Times series published Sunday examined the causes and consequences of rapid population growth around the world. There are more than three billion individuals worldwide under age 25 -- the largest generation in history -- and this group will determine the rate at which the world's population continues to grow.

If the worldwide average birthrate declines from its current rate of 2.5 children per woman to 2.1, the United Nations estimates that the world's population will rise to 9.3 billion by 2050, up from seven billion today. However, if the birthrate remains at its current level, the world's population is projected to reach 11 billion by 2050, significantly affecting developing countries where food, water and land are already scarce, according to the Times.

According to the Times, stabilizing the world's population is dependent upon reducing birthrates in developing nations. However, many initiatives are ineffective because certain populations are hard to reach, culturally unreceptive or politically unstable.

In the U.S., contraception and family planning initiatives have become caught up in the abortion debate and international funding for such programs has remained flat for nearly 20 years. In developing countries, family planning programs are inconsistent and vary based on each nation's leadership. Although contraception use has increased globally, it remains low in rural parts of Africa and South Asia, according to the Times (Weiss [1], Los Angeles Times, 7/22).

For the series, the Times examined population growth rates in numerous countries.

• Afghanistan: The rising population growth in Afghanistan in part is related to the inferior status of women and is a contributing factor behind the "vast ranks of restless young men ... with few prospects," who often turn to the Taliban for employment. The U.S. Agency for International Development has been working to address population growth in the nation by training midwives and clinic workers to educate women about contraceptive use (Weiss [2], Los Angeles Times, 7/22).
  
  
• China: China's leaders credit the nation's "one-child policy," implemented in 1979, for averting 400 million births and helping hundreds of millions of residents enter the workforce and escape poverty. However, the policy, which uses incentives and penalties to limit family size, has recently faced criticism both internally and internationally calling for the policy's end (Weiss [3], Los Angeles Times, 7/22).
  
  
• India: The birthrate in India is projected to fall from an average of 2.5 children per woman, to 2.1 by 2030. A law prohibits women younger than age 18 from marrying, but it is not heavily enforced and is countered by strong traditional ties, thus "all but guaranteeing an early start to childbearing" (Weiss [1], Los Angeles Times, 7/22).
  
  
• Kenya: In Kenya, women often face opposition on contraception from their husbands, relatives or traditional leaders. According to the Times, "Covert contraception programs have emerged throughout Africa," including Kenya. About 10 years ago, the U.N. projected Kenya's population would be 44 million by 2050 but that estimate has been revised to nearly 100 million (Weiss [1], Los Angeles Times, 7/22).
  
  
• Philippines: The Catholic Church for the past 14 years has successfully blocked legislation that would make contraception more affordable and accessible in the nation. Access to contraception generally is limited to those who can afford it, but the legislation would implement public contraceptive education and provide government subsidies for contraceptives (Weiss [4], Los Angeles Times, 7/22).
  
  
• Somalia: Somalia's birthrate -- which is one of the highest in the world, averaging 6.4 children per woman -- has led to problems like food scarcity, which has forced thousands of residents to move to other countries as refugees (Weiss [5], Los Angeles Times, 7/22).

In South Africa, Pregnant Teens Struggle To Stay in School, Report Finds

In related news, tens of thousands of girls in South Africa drop out of school annually because of pregnancy, according to a report by the nation's Department of Basic Education, the Los Angeles Times reports. In 2009, there were 73 pregnancies per 1,000 teenagers ages 15 to 19 in South Africa, according the report.

More than 45,000 girls enrolled in school became pregnant in 2009, including 109 third-graders, according to the report.

Farshid Meidany of the South African arm of Medical Care Development International said many factors contribute to pregnant teens dropping out and not returning to school, including "discrimination by teachers and colleagues" (Dixon, Los Angeles Times, 7/22).