Save the Children calls for action to stabilize world population growth

15 March 2010

Source: Save the Children

Save the Children has published a policy brief on population, highlighting how rapid growth in the world's population is increasing the risk of poverty, political instability and climate change. 

Population growth concerns

The policy briefing published this month warns that in 1950, the world's population was 2.5 billion; today it stands at 6.8 billion.

Increasing risk of poverty, political instability and climate change are just some of the risks the briefing explains are exacebated by rapid population growth.

This policy brief looks at:

• Population trends
• The impact of rapid population growth on development
• The link with political stability and climate change
• Blaming the poor?
• The benefits of reduced fertility and slower population growth
• What we're calling for.......

Calls for action

In the briefing, Save the Children call for "concerted action to slow and stabilise the world's population growth."

It's predicted that the world's population will stabilise at around 9.1 billion in 2050. Almost all of this increase will occur in developing countries.

Rapid population growth and high fertility rates correlate closely with high levels of maternal and child mortality, and poverty.

To help support this demographic transition in poorer countries, and to slow and stabilise population growth, the briefing cals for concerted action from donors, international development agencies and developing country governments.

The Population Policy Brief is available from the Save the Children website.