Family planning is important for economic development and reducing poverty. It allows individuals and couples to choose the timing and size of their families. The use of contraceptives has increased globally but population growth remains high in Africa and Asia. Rapid population growth could deplete resources and reduce economic productivity. Investing in family planning to meet the needs of those who want to prevent pregnancies would reduce costs of unplanned births, infant deaths, and pregnancy-related deaths while increasing income and prosperity at both the individual and country level, as shown in studies in Bangladesh.

1. The Importance of Family
Planning
By: Jasmyne M. Gorrell

2. What is it?
 Allows individuals and couples to
reach “their desired number of
children and space the timing of their
births.
 Primarily two methods:
◦ Natural
◦ Contraceptive

3. Methods
Method Effectiveness to prevent Comments
pregnancy
COCs “The Pill” >99% with correct and Reduces risk of
consistent use endometrial and ovarian
cancer
Male Condoms 98% with correct and protects against sexually
consistent use transmitted infections,
including HIV
Female Condoms 90% with correct and Protects against sexually
consistent use transmitted infections,
including HIV
Intrauterine device >99% can also be used as
(IUD) emergency contraception
Male sterilization >99% after 3 months semen 3 months delay in taking
evaluation effect
Fertility Awareness 75% Can be used to identify
fertile days by women
Withdrawal 96% with correct and One of the least effective
consistent use methods

4. Why is it Important?
 Rates of fertility and population growth play a
significant role in the economic state of a
country.
 Gross National Income Per Capita
◦ Sub-Saharan African: $US1,125
◦ Latin American: $US7,007
◦ Asia(Excluding China): $US5,990
 80% of the population in Least Developed
Regions live on less than $2.00 per day
 TFR
◦ Sub-Saharan Africa: 5.2 births per woman
◦ Latin America: 2.3 births per woman
◦ Asia (Excluding China): 2.6 births per woman

6. Use of Contraceptives
80.0 World
sub-Saharan Africa
65.0
Asia
50.0
Latin America
35.0
Europe
North America
20.0
Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia
5.0
1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005

7. Potential Problems
 Current global population is 6.9 Billion
◦ 9 Billion by 2044
◦ 90% of growth will be in Africa and Asia
 Depletion of natural resources
 Implications beyond reduction in
productivity
 Rapid population growth poses a
greater than contraction of HIV/AIDS
◦ Unskilled labors increase at exponential
rates

8. Obstacles
Conservative view Rebuttals
 Family planning has little  137 million women want
or no effect on fertility. to prevent pregnancies
◦ Many children to assist with
household chores
 Human population has
been increasing by
 Fertility declines are approx. 75 million a year
evident everywhere. So since 1970
Problem solved.

9.  Global cost-benefit
analysis: invest
$US3.9 billion in
developing countries
to meet needs.
◦ Prevents unplanned
births
◦ Fewer infant deaths
◦ Fewer pregnancy
related deaths
 Fewer children
reduce the
“economic burden”
on families, as well
as, government
◦ Can save govt. up to
$US31

10. Bangladesh
 Shareen Joshi and
T. Paul Schultz
 “Unexpected
results
◦ Higher incomes
◦ Higher values on
homes
◦ Higher educational
level
◦ Increased access to
water