Address at Anglo-Ethiopia Society in London

22 May 2009

Louise Carver, the Population and Sustainability Network communications officer delivered an address to a mixed group of UK and Ethiopian colleagues, including Ethiopia Embassy representatives at an event at the Royal Asiatic Society called: Population Growth in Ethiopia, Causes, Impacts and Wider Areas of influence. 

The population of Ethiopia is projected to more than double in size before 2050. Eight million Ethiopians are estimated to be living on permanent food aid and many more live in a state of constant food insecurity. Available land holdings and arable land is compromised through exploitation of resources and poor conservation methods.

At the same time fertility remains high and access to sexual and reproductive health services including family planning limited. Unique challenges in providing these services are presented by the geographically difficult environment, however conservation projects that have incorporated voluntary family planning services have recieved positive uptake.