INTRODUCTION

This module focuses on the subject of population policy. It shows the various kinds of policies which governments in different countries have and the problems they encounter in implementing them.

POPULATION POLICY

The earlier lectures have shown that population is intricately linked with development. Therefore, the national governments may want to examine population dynamics with reference to development goals, identify problems, and take a corrective action. This results in population policy. Here the term population policy refers to statements of the state's understanding of population trends, their causes and consequences and measures to interfere in population trends to achieve the intended goals. Most governments have a clearly stated policy on population, but some have only a broad understanding and a broad vision of population processes. Population policy may addresses one or more of the following issues:

• Population size

• Growth rate of population

• Regional differences in size or growth rate of population

• Fertility rate

• Mortality rate

• International migration

• Internal migration – from one region to another and rural to urban areas

• Age of marriage