Family Planning is an issue that we have discussed briefly in this class, especially in the beginning. Although this is not a large issue in the US, developing countries are really struggling to control this. Nigeria is one of those countries, seeing as I did my presentation on the birthing practices in Nigeria, I decided to share this.

I read an article on Family Planning in Nigeria recently. The UN was advising that family planning be encouraged so that population growth can be managed. With a population of over 170 million (A figure that is expected to double in about 20 years and surpass the US in 2050), living in a country thats only a bit over two times the size of California, Nigeria is quickly becoming overpopulated.

The article also discussed how the country could benefit economically if family planning was promoted and encouraged. According to the director of the United Nations Population Fund Babatunde Osotimehin, Nigeria would benefit a great deal from a “Demographic Dividend” This demographic dividend occurs when “The working population of a country is larger than the younger dependent population”  According to Osotimehin “A slight decline in fertility would raise output per capita by 5.6 percent over a span of 20 years and 11.9 percent over a 50 year span”

What are some policies that can be put in place to encourage family planning in Nigeria?

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/agency-encourages-family-planning-nigeria-27002356