1. Demography of the Middle East
John Bongaarts
Population Council

2. Middle East Region

3. Outline Population growth and consequences
Age structure changes: youth “bulge”, labor force growth
Why population growth continues
Population policy options

7. Adverse Effects of Rapid Population Growth
• Environmental:
Degradation of natural resources (land, water), pollution
• Economic:
Low wages, poverty, slow growth
• Governmental:
Lagging investment in education, health services and infrastructure
• Political
Growth of political extremism and anti-Western sentiments

8. 2) Age structure changes:
youth “bulge”, labor force growth

12. 3) Why population growth continues

13. Why population growth continues in the developing world
Fertility remains relatively high
Declining mortality
Population momentum due to a young age structure

16. 4) Population policy options

17. Past response to concern about population growth
Implement family planning programs to:
Provide access to and information about contraception
Reduce unmet need for contraception

18. Causes of growth Policy options
1) High fertility
- Unwanted
Strengthen family planning programs
- Wanted
Invest in human capital
2) Declining mortality
3) Momentum of
population growth
Delay childbearing

20. Conclusions ME population is expected to double by 2050
Substantial environmental, economic and political consequences
Policy options available:
- strengthen family planning programs
- invest in human capital
- address needs of the young