Addressing the Demographic Crisis in a Collective Fashion

Abstract

The population of the Philippines, at an annual growth rate of 2.36%, reached 80 million in 2003 and is expected to double within 29 years if this rate does not decline. While the model of demographic transition predicts that all countries will, over time, go through the four demographic transition stages, it is recognized that the Philippines is now in a demographic crisis that needs urgent solutions to ensure the survival of future generations. The paper describes the current realities regarding population pressures in terms of poverty, unemployment, malnutrition, environmental degradation, land conversion, urbanization, low economic growth, and increasing overseas employment of Filipinos. The need for a relevant population policy that integrates the variables of population, health, and environment is underscored. The paper also describes the proposed Integrated Population and Development Act filed in the Congress of the Philippines.