Jobs will not keep pace with this growing labor force. 90 percent of that increase will be in developing countries. This number is larger than all the workers employed today in industrialized countries. As people choose to have smaller families, populations will naturally grow at a slower rate. This will help ease the pressure on big cities, whose rapid growth is overwhelming the capability of municipal governments to provide basic services like water and electricity.
War can have a devastating impact on the economic and social fabric of a nation.
The conflict in Rwanda was brought on in part by rapid population growth. Slower population growth helps countries avoid such conflicts. Every human being prospers when their hopes and dreams become realities, whether they are small, personal dreams or hopes for their community and nation. When couples can freely decide the number of children they want, poor countries will be better able to develop their economies. Our support for international family planning helps people achieve their desired family size.