Mercedes B. Concepcion
Member, National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines
Professor Emeritus, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy
University of the Philippines
https://doi.org/10.57043/transnastphl.2003.4717
Abstract
The Philippines experienced a four-fold increase in population from 1948 to 2000. Based on previously published papers on population, this paper analyzes the effects of the country’s demographic changes on the economy, on poverty and family, on agriculture and natural resources, and their implications on economic, social, and population policies.
Data have shown the negative effect of an increase in population on the economic growth of the country. The paper further explained this by describing the transition that the population would go through when the fertility rate diminishes. According to studies presented, a country going through the demographic transition would first experience an increase in the child dependency ratio, which will eventually be followed by an increase in the working-age group and later on by the growing old-age dependency ratio. It was also concluded that an increase in fertility rates could lead to an increase in poverty rates and its intensity. This was supported by the general notion that poverty and large family size go together. Another problem caused by population growth is the issue of environmental degradation.
Based on these, five sets of policies were presented on maximizing the well-being of individuals and families: (a) undoing any existing policy-induced distortions; (b) instituting a variety of economic policies that strengthen land, labor, and financial markets and encourage broad-based income growth; (c) developing a range of social programs, including education and health programs; (d) promulgating policies and programs that improve the status of women; and (e) ensuring the availability of and access to family planning information and services.