DEFINING EFFECTIVENESS

Since in order to implement a population policy a nation state has to spend resources, it is legitimate to ask whether the policy, is effective. In discussing the effectiveness of population policies the starting point is: how does one define the effectiveness of the policy? A simple definition of effectiveness may be that it is the degree to which a policy is able to achieve its desired objectives (regarding development, regional equality, long term needs of society etc.).

PREREQUISITES OF EFFECTIVE POPULATION POLICY

Now the question is: what are the prerequisites of an effective population policy? It may be said that a population policy will be effective if:

• Policy is stated in unambiguous and unequivocal terms

• There is good governance

• Strategies are based on good understanding of the socio-economic and cultural milieus

• There is good political support for the policy

• Adequate resources are mobilized to implement the policy

• Socio-economic development and the population policy are influencing the targets in the same direction

• Civil society is in agreement with the goals of the policy