Video Lesson

Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

• Explain the major socioeconomic and demographic problems
• Discuss the major population policies at the national level in addressing the major socioeconomic and demographic problems in the developing world
• Compare the anti-natalist and pro-natalist population policies

Brainstorming Question

Identify the major socioeconomic and demographic problems and explain how these problems need to be addressed by major population policies at the national level
in the developing world

Key words

• Population growth
• Policies
• Socioeconomic development
• Migration and distribution
• Pro-Natalist
• Anti-Natalist

 Policies on population growth and socioeconomic development

Dear Online Learner! A series of government declarations, choices, and measures done openly or implicitly to impact population number, growth, distribution, and composition is referred to as population policies. Individual and family decisions about marriage and childbearing, job arrangements, residence, and other issues are influenced by policies. The core objectives of population policies aim to promote both economic development and social or individual welfare.

• Pron-atalist restricting emigration and stimulating immigration were historically the key areas of focus for population policies.

Example: France

• Anti-natalist restricting immigration, encouraging redistribution, prolonging survival.
• Example: China’s One child policy

Table 4.1 Direct and Indirect Effects of Population policy

DIRECT OR EXPLICIT	INDIRECT OR IMPLICIT
Government actions taken for demo- graphic outcome. Example: Provide free family planning services Increase taxes for each additional child Migration law: restrict immigration Raise the age of marriage	Decisions and actions of government indirectly have some demo- graphic effects. Example: Compulsory secondary education Restrict child labor Limit size of housesPromoting female education and raise status of womenProvide old age security

Dear Online Learner! At the national level, most governments have addressed population policies by: firstly, gathering demographic data through censuses, civil registration systems, and surveys; and secondly, developing and attempting to execute specific public health and population policies about mortality, fertility, and migration.

Policies on population migration and distribution

Dear Online Learner! Policies governing geographical distribution and urbanization have far-reaching implications for a country’s long-term growth. For example, the government the following measures:

• Encourage population redistribution from densely populated urban regions to smaller urban, suburban, and rural areas.
• Decrease migration from rural to urban areas, as well as to major urban agglomerations
• Ensure access to basic services and infrastructure for the urban poor,
• Address the strain population has on environmental sustainability by preventing unintended pregnancies through family planning programs,
• Address the strain population has on environmental sustainability by improving road safety and promoting public transportation.
• Promote settlement of under-populated areas, and
• Relocate population out of environmentally fragile or threatened areas.