But development is not a smooth process. The financial crisis that began in South-east Asia in 1997 has thrown millions into poverty and deep distress, which in some countries has been compounded by the absence of social cohesion and dependable political institutions. The changes in social policy which developing countries have made in response to the fresh consensus on population and development call for comparable changes in international economic structures, to reinforce rather than weaken the consensus. So far, however, the changes in perceptions of population and development have not been matched by economic changes. The wealthiest fifth of the world's people consume more than 66 times the materials and resources of the poorest fifth.
Economic development raises prices as well as incomes.
The last to benefit are the poorest, who spend more of their incomes on essentials such as food and housing and depend most on public services, especially health, education and transport. The ICPD agreed that population is integrally related to development. Social investment, demographic change and development Important choices must be made regarding investments in education, particularly of girls and women, and in health, including reproductive health and mortality reduction. Decisions to invest in these areas can initiate dramatic changes in reproductive behaviour, and will shape the demographic future. Declines in fertility and mortality are mutually reinforcing.