Global Security At Risk Without Future Investments in Family Planning, Infant and Maternal Health, Education and Economic Opportunities for Women and Young People
April 3, 2007Washington, DC — The Shape of Things to Come: Why Age Structure Matters to a Safer, More Equitable World, a new report from Population Action International (PAI), provides valuable new insights into the programs and investments that can make countries "healthier" -- more stable and peaceful, more democratic, and better able to provide for the needs of their citizens. It places all countries in the world into one of four major age structures with attendant characteristics benefits and risks associated with governance, security and economic development. Highlighted are seven countries –
Released on April 11, in conjunction with the 2007 session of the U.N. Commission on Population and Development (CPD), Shape examines the connections between population demographics, reproductive health, international security, human rights and other development issues. By providing historical linkages and new analysis, Shape clearly illustrates where a country’s risks and opportunities lie in relation to critical issues such as democracy, development and security. The report comes at a time when scientific interest in demographic research is mounting, as evidenced by the theme of this year’s CPD session: “The Changing Age Structures of Populations and Their Implications for Development.”
“Our report demonstrates how investments in family planning, infant and maternal health, education and economic opportunities for girls, women and young people can vastly influence countries’ age structures and, therefore, their likelihood of having a stable future,” said Amy Coen, PAI’s President/CEO. “More importantly, Shape finds that age structures are dynamic and can be influenced – and shaped – through sound population policies, aimed at achieving demographically balanced populations.”
The Shape of Things to Come, authored by PAI’s Elizabeth Leahy, explains why a country’s age distribution – whether youth, working-age adults or elderly people comprise the greatest share of the population – has important implications for economic and social development.
PAI recommends that in order for countries to increase the likelihood of having a well-developed future, they will need to:
adopt policies that promote an increase in life expectancy and a decrease in fertility rates (demographic transition);
expand access to family planning services and improve sexual and reproductive health as a means to achieve balanced age structures;
support improvements in the legal, educational and economic status of women; and
consider population trends when setting societal priorities.
According to Amy Coen, “We need to recognize that when looking to the future and the shape of things to come, programs that promote the demographic transition – family planning, girls’ education, maternal and child health, HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment – must be an integral part of development assistance. Extreme poverty, disease, inadequate heath care, and lack of educational and economic opportunity – particularly for women – all pose risks, both in terms of human well being and in state security.”
To read a PDF version of The Shape of Things to Come: Why Age Structure Matters to a Safer, More Equitable World, on the web, visit www.populationaction.org/SOTC.
To request a printed copy, please contact Carlos Pinto via email at cpinto@popact.org or by telephone at (202) 557-3422.
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Population Action International works to improve individual well-being and preserve global resources by mobilizing political and financial support for population, family planning, and reproductive health policies and programs.
