Category: Rwanda

Future Hubs of Africa and Asia

Editors

On UN projections between 2015 and 2050, the world population will grow by nearly 2.38 billion people, from 7.35 billion to 9.73 billion. Although this 32% growth is a big increase, it marks a slowdown from the 66% growth rate recorded in the preceding 35 years (1980-2015). Total Fertility Rates (TFRs) have come down all over the world and are expected to continue falling.
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About half of the 2.38 billion increase will take place in sub-Saharan Africa and nearly 40% in Asia. India is the biggest contributor with a net addition of 394 million, followed by Nigeria (216m), Pakistan (120m), DR Congo (118m) and Ethiopia (89m). By 2050, all of these countries will feature in the top 10 populations by size, a list that will include the United States (expected to rank fourth) but not one European country. Outside of Africa and Asia ex-China, regional populations will be growing slowly (the Americas), stagnating (China, Europe), or receding (Japan, Eastern Europe). Read more →

Rwanda: Time Is Now to Control Our Population Growth Rate

Editors

FROM ALLAFRICA.COM:

EDITORIAL

With each Rwandan woman producing an average of 4.6 children during her lifespan, our national fertility rates remain one of the highest in the world. At the same time, our population is growing at the rate of 2.8% every year with the use of any forms of birth control measure (contraceptive) at about 45%.

Even though the use of contraceptives has significantly increased from a mere 4% in 2005 to the current estimates of 45%, more than half of our women (55%) are not using modern birth control facilities. As a result, the country continues to experience rapid population growth that is putting enormous strain on the economy.

To be honest, Rwanda’s population growth is increasingly becoming unsustainable and the faster new rollback measures are put in place, the better for the country’s growth prospects.

First of all, the country is just emerging from the ruins of the past with hardly any resources to write home about. Secondly, Rwanda is a very small country with extremely limited land to sustain the rapid population growth in rural areas. Already with a population of 11 million, Rwanda stands out as one of the most densely populated countries in world when one considers the total land area of the country.

While some African leaders think that a big population means big markets for local goods and services, there are several dangers associated with unsustainable population growth. READ MORE.