Inaugurating the World Population Day Celebrations organized by Jansankhya Sthirata Kosh (JSK) in New Delhi, the Indian Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss said that stabilizing the population is critical for sustainable development and making reproductive health care and family planning services accessible to all is the route to achieve that.
The JSK has organized a two-days sensitization programme for 500 young people from the underserved villages in 8 States to familiarize them with population growth and other health related subjects.
Smt. Panabaka Lakshmi, Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare, Shri Naresh Dayal, Secretary, Health & Family Welfare and Smt. Shailaja Chandra, Director, JSK were also present on the occasion.
Speaking further, the Minister said that India is the second most populous country in the world, sustaining 16.7 per cent of the world’s population. The population of several Indian States can be compared to the population of many countries. The population of India could be a demographic dividend if every child is born healthy and grows up strong and gets educated. India?s population growth will be higher than any country in the world by 2050. We have to be prepared for changes in our demographic profile. It is important to consider population projections because 51% of the country?s population is in the reproductive age group. More than 150 million people will be added by 2016.
The Minister added that out of the total population increase of 371 million between 2001 and 2026, 187 million are likely to be added in the seven States of Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal i.e. nearly 50% of India’s demographic growth. 22% of the total population increase is anticipated to occur in Uttar Pradesh alone. In contrast, the contribution of the four southern States, namely Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, to the total increase in population size is expected to be 47 million ? 13% of total demographic growth of the country. More than 40% of the population increase would be contributed by those who have 3 or more children per family. 188 million couples require contraceptive coverage but out of them little more than 50% are not using contraceptives. Vast numbers of people cannot avail the services even when they are available due to problems of knowledge and access.
Dr. Ramadoss said that the education of women has a direct relationship with the total fertility rate and wherever literacy levels are high fertility has been brought down but where literacy levels are low, the fertility rate remains high. We have to make special efforts to improve the situation particularly in the underserved areas from where you have all come at our invitation.
Addressing the participants, the Minister said the sensitization programme will enhance their understanding of population and gender issues, importance of age at marriage, health of the mother and child and spacing between births. He wished JSK and other organisations participating in the programme all success in their endeavours.