Title: Population Dynamics and Education and Health Planning
Abstract: The International Labor Office publishes background papers in population human resources and development planning. Its 8th paper focuses on the interrelationships between population dynamics and education and health planning. It advocates human resources as being of utmost importance in the socioeconomic development of a nation. For example improved access to primary and secondary education for females is a pivotal determinant of fertility and of infant and child mortality. Education and so und health improve peoples welfare and increase the ability of the economy to produce more for the future. Even though many economists and planners know these facts it is extremely difficult to decide the proper level of public funding for education and health programs in the short and long term. This is due to the intricate interrelationships between these programs and others that also improve the public welfare. Further different societies value the effects of public funding policies differently. Nevertheless political commitment to improving the health and educational status of the population and to eliminating the inequalities build into the system is greatly needed. An example of an inequality is that of the different quality of schools found in urban and rural areas. Political commitment played a major role in significantly reducing infant mortality even though income per capita levels remained low in China Costa Rica Sri Lanka Cuba and Kerala State in India. Population policy must be combined with health and education policies since rapid population growth underscores the problems with providing high quality education and health care to the population. For example family planning services can reinforce fertility decline and improve maternal and child health.
Publication Year: 1990
Publication Date: 1990-06-01
Language: en
Type: book
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Cited By Count: 1
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