Population And Development Planning In Selected Asian Countries

This book is the outcome of the Conference on Population Growth, Urbanization, and Urban Policies in the Asia-Pacific Region, held in Honolulu during 8-12 April 1985. It provides wide attention among development planners, urban managers, and scholars in the field of urban and development planning.

Recent studies show that almost all industrial countries have experienced dramatic decreases in both fertility and mortality rates. This situation has led to aging societies with economies that suffer from both a decline in the working population and a rise in fiscal deficits linked to increased government spending. East Asia exemplifies these trends, and this volume offers an in-depth look at how long-term demographic transitions have taken shape there and how they have affected the economy in the region. The Economic Consequences of Demographic Change in East Asia assembles a group of experts to explore such topics as comparative demographic change, population aging, the rising cost of health care, and specific policy concerns in individual countries. The volume provides an overview of economic growth in East Asia as well as more specific studies on Japan, Korea, China, and Hong Kong. Offering important insights into the causes and consequences of this transition, this book will benefit students, researchers, and policy makers focused on East Asia as well as anyone concerned with similar trends elsewhere in the world.

This study attempts to inform discussion about population issues in Asia, in 1990 a region with half the world's population. This study addresses a wide range of topics, including past patterns of population growth and its underlying determinants, the design of family planning programmes, and the implications of population prospects for macroeconomic and sectoral policies. Its approach is comparative analysis based on country-level data. The findings in this study are properly viewed as first steps toward designing country-specific interventions. Three overall messages emerge concerning population policies: a) the effectiveness of Asia's family planning programs in sustaining further fertility decline can be improved; b) investments in family planning services are essential, but not sufficient, to bring about sustained fertility declines to replacement level; and c) substantial population increase is unavoidale in the short run, say the next 40 years, presenting substantial challenges for development policies.

The 23 countries represented at the 1972 Second Asian Population Conference adopted a Declaration of population strategy for Development. The action program outlined in this declaration covers areas such as labor utilization, land reform, pollution, planning mechanisms, and family planning. The conference sought to provide a better understanding of the central role of population in the achievement of development goals and to assist governments in determining and applying the most effective means of influencing population trends. The Declaration of Population strategy for Development notes that, while population has a direct effect on development and the human environment, conversely policies in the fields of education, healt, housing, social security, employment, and agriculture also have an impact on population. Thus, integrated national planning and coordinated action are required. Particular attention should be given to the need to bring about a more equitable distribution of income and opportunity. The priority of population and family planning should be recognized through the allocation of broad responsibilities in planning, evaluation, and analysis of programs in these fields to government departments. Information, education, and services that will enable families to realize their aspirations must be available, and small family size should be encouraged through intensive efforts in information and education. Steps should be taken to ensure that all pertinent information reaches policy makers, opinion leaders, and socioeconomic planners. The conference requested that its deliberations be taken into consideration in the drafting of the World Population Plan of Action. It further called upon the 1974 World Population Conference to consider global-level means for addressing the population problem.

Demographically And Also Economically South Asian Region, Comprising The Countries Of Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan And Sri Lanka, Is One Of The Critical Major Regions Of The World. By Word Standards, It Is Chararacterized By High Rate Of Population Growth, High Density And High Dependency. South Asian Population Growth Makes It Virtually Certain That The Tremendous Rate At Which Population Is Increasing Will Double The Number Of People In The Region Within Next 30 Or 40 Years, However Vigorous And Efficient Family Planning Programmes May Be. Indisputably, This Region Has Been Facing A Population Explosion Of Crisis Dimensions. The Entire Battle Against Poverty Is Thwarted By The Rapid Increase In Population. Without Reduction In The Rate Of Population Increase, The Cherished Hopes Of The People For Better Life Are Doomed To Frustration.In The Present Study, An Attempt Has Been Made To Analyse The Facts And Features Of South Asian Population And The Demographic Factors Affecting The Pace And Level Of Economic And Social Development In The Region. A Population Policy For The Region Is Also Worked Out, For South Asian S Population Problem Cannot Be Solved By Pretence And Wishful Thinking. It Is Emphasized That In The Present Context Of South Asia What Needed Is The Increase In The Productive Capacity To Support A Large Population On The One Hand And To The Reduction In Fertility Rates On The Other Hand So That Growth Of Population Is Stabilized At A Lower Level.