Contemporary Population Issues

Goldstone, Jack Α.; May, John F.

doi:10.1007/978-3-031-02040-7_1

Cited by 1 publication

(8 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…After World War II, a round of population censuses carried out in the 1950s highlighted the extremely rapid population growth in several countries, particularly in Asia [3]. This triggered the fear among UN demographers and international policymakers that in some countries surging populations would outrun the growth in food supply and outrace the investment of capital per person, leading to declining income per head at best, and widespread starvation and social disorder at worst.…”

Section: Population Issues In the 20th And The 21st Centuriesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The overall result of these fertility declines was that the growth of the global population did not surge as rapidly as some feared, while increases in the output of foodstuffs and manufactured goods greatly outran population growth, reducing poverty (in percentages but not in absolute numbers), and raising real incomes in most parts of the globe [3]. Regarding foodstuffs, it is interesting to note that, historically, global food production has more than kept pace with past population increases; indeed, obesity has become a global concern.…”

Section: Population Issues In the 20th And The 21st Centuriesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Nonetheless, poverty and food crises are becoming more concentrated, due to population growth and urbanization continuing mainly in low-income countries, especially in Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and parts of Latin America, while East Asia, Europe, and North America are facing population stabilization or decline. Future levels of poverty, food shortages, and even global population growth will be determined to such an extent by fertility patterns in Africa and South Asia that these regions should be the focus of our attention [3].…”

Section: Population Issues In the 20th And The 21st Centuriesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Nonetheless, zero population growth and "peak" population could possibly occur before the end of this century, although this point is being debated [2]. Despite rapid population growth still occurring in sub-Saharan Africa and some other regions (mainly a few countries in the Middle East and parts of South Asia, e.g., Yemen, Afghanistan, Pakistan), most of the world's population is now experiencing low fertility and, consequently, population aging [1,3]. The world is also becoming more and more urbanized.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The world is also becoming more and more urbanized. In addition, a host of new issues have emerged as well, such as climate change, new pandemics, international migration, and flows of refugees [3]. Aside from a shift in focus, the overall framing of population policies has also changed, from demographically driven interventions to the affirmation of reproductive rights.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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How 21st Century Population Issues and Policies Differ from Those of the 20th Century

Goldstone

May

2023

World

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Population issues and population policies have evolved considerably between the 20th and the 21st centuries. In the 1970s, most countries confronted rapid population growth, and this situation was particularly severe in Asia. Today, on the contrary, more than half of the world population is experiencing low fertility and population aging, and several countries with very low fertility are facing the prospect of depopulation. Only one region, i.e., sub-Saharan Africa, still experiences high fertility levels. Similarly, the discussions about whether and how to intervene on population trends have also evolved over the past 70 years. Demographically focused approaches to family planning provision were dominant views in the second half of the 20th century. However, since the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo in 1994, international population policy paradigms have been reframed to stress the freedom of couples and the reproductive rights of individuals. Consequently, policy interventions have favored client-focused and gender-sensitive approaches. Finally, to help chart the way forward, population policies will need to consider several key elements, broadening from a focus on support for family planning to an array of policy instruments including health, education, and culture, all of which shape future populations. This new policy framework includes the prioritization of interventions, policy consensus building, the selection of priority constituencies, the institutionalization and funding of policies, and the promotion of evidence-based and research-driven policies. In addition, in order to adapt their interventions to local contexts, population policies will need to be holistic, to promote integrated interventions, and to align with international development frameworks.

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Section: Population Issues In the 20th And The 21st Centuriesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Population Issues In the 20th And The 21st Centuriesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Population Issues In the 20th And The 21st Centuriesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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