For years, we all suspected that population had an effect on poverty, hunger and quality of life. If population growth is left unchecked, it could mean a nation's demise.

Now its official: for the first time, the United nationals Population Fund) came up with solid, research-based evidence proving that better reproductive health promotes economic growth and reduces poverty.

Pointing to a "population effect" on economic growth, the UNFPA State of the World's Population Report 2002 said that since 1970, developing countries with lower fertility and slower population growth have seen higher productivity, more savings and more productive investments.

The report even noted that declines in fertility accounted for 115 of the economic growth in East Asia between 1960 and 1995.

"Addressing population concerns is critical to meeting UN's Millenium Development Goals of cutting global poverty and hunger in half by 2015, reducing maternal and child deaths, curbing HIV/AIDS, advancing gender equality and promoting environmentally sustainable development," said Terence Jones, UN resident coordinator to the Philippines, during the report's launch in Mandaluyong City.

Jones said that poverty is prevalent in half of the world - more than three billion people live on less than $2 a day while another billion live on less than $1 a day.

RP ranked No. 13

The Washington-based Population Reference Bureau ranked the Philippines No. 13 in its list of the 15 largest countries in the world in 2002 (in terms of population), with an estimated population of 80 million.

"With the current growth rate of 2.36 percent, or an additional 1.7 million people annually, this number will double in 29 years," warned Commission on Population executive director Tomas Osias.

It means that if this rate goes on, there will be about 150 million Filipinos by 2025.

Osias said the Philippines I facing difficulty solving poverty - a cause and consequence of a large and rapidly increasing population.

"Poverty afflicts 40 percent of the (Philippines) population today - the highest among its immediate East Asian neighbors. Malaysia only has 8 percent, Thailand, 13 percent; and Indonesia 20.4 percent," Osias said.

Jones stressed that poverty is more than just a lack of income. "It is also insecurity and inequality. Poor health, illiteracy, inadequate schooling, social exclusion, powerlessness and gender discrimination contribute to poverty," he said.

Mother, child deaths

According to Osias, the Philippines also has one of the highest rates of infant and child mortality in the region: 35 in 1,000 infants die before they reach the age of one; 48 in 1,000 die before they reach five.

"Maternal mortality is also high 172 in 10,000 women die from pregnancy-related complications, he said.

To reduce poverty, the UNFPA report urged nations to make improvements in reproductive health and eliminate illiteracy and gender inequality.

It recommended several courses of action including targeting assistance directly to the poor and giving them a voice in the policies and programs that affect them.

The report stressed that governments, communities, the private sector and the international community must cooperate more closely to make the most of limited domestic and international resources and exploit comparative advantage.

In line with this, Popcom has included in its agenda the mobilization of domestic funding in addressing the reproductive health and family planning needs of couples, especially the poor.

Convincing NGOs

"We need to convince non-government organizations (NGOs) and the private sector to strengthen its marketing scheme for couples who can afford to pay for reproductive health services and commodities," Osias said.

Couples belonging to upper and middle economic class will be encouraged to buy family planning commodities provided by the private sector. Those who can afford to pay in part can be subsidized by both the government and the private sector. Poor couples will be fully subsidized by the government.

"This is basically what the government is doing with its broad-based development policies," Osias said. If the poor have options, they will choose to have smaller families and have bigger opportunities to improve the quality of their life.

Published last December 7, 2002 in the Philippine Daily Inquirer