Family planning in Asia

Abstract

From Japan to Pakistan, where recent census data are available in most of the Asian countries, the population far exceeds prior expectations. These countries are beginning to respond to the need and desirability of family planning. Private associations have long been pioneers in this field; their accomplishments are noted, as well as their inadequacy to cope with the present need. Official attitudes in some countries reflect at least a new willingness to study the problem in relation to economic development, while in other countries government policies embrace active and subsidized programmes of population control. The problems of implementing government policies and translating them into popular action are touched upon. The current status of various methods of limiting fertility, including abortion and sterilization, is briefly described. Because of the growth of favourable public sentiment and government action, the author anticipates a decline in the birth rate in some parts of Asia within the next decade.

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M. C. Balfour

Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Population Association of America, New York, May 5–6, 1961.