Abstract

PIP: The proportion of the world population in the less developed regions, in contrast to the more developed countries, has been steadily growing from 67% of the world total in 1950 to 74% in 1980, and it is expected to reach 79% by the end of the century. It is also projected that by the year 2025the less developed regions will include 83% of the world population total. Close examination of population trends shows that the new trends reflect demographic changes that have taken place in many developing nations in Asia and the Pacific. Despite reduction in the growth rate of Asia andthe Pacific, especially during 1980-2000, in absolute terms its growth will be the largest in the world during these 20 years, 908 million out of 1687 million of the total growth. Asia and the Pacific will contribute more than 45 million people a year during the final 20 years of this century. For the world as a whole, the new estimates and projections indicate a slow but steady decline of the crude birthrate from 36.3/1000 in 1959-55 to 28.5 in 1975-80, then to 23.9 in 1955-2000, and finally to 17.9 in 2020-2025. Since 1950 it is estimated that the gross reproduction rate increased, reached its peak of 2.21 in 1970-75 and has been steadily declining. Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, the developed countries in Asia and the Pacific, have estimated birthrates in the range of 15-18 in 1975-80. In contrast with the high levels which prevail in Western and MiddleSouth Asia, fertility declines of considerable magnitude have been realized in some countries in East Asia and South Asia. As was the case with fertility, the largest gains in mortality reduction have accured among the less developed regions. A widespread, though not universal, feature of recent mortality trends appears to be a recent slowdown in progress, which, in some places, is manifested by a cessation in mortality decline. Data for Asia also indicate that mortality declines have slowed during recent years. International migration continues to show significant shifts in pattern and direction. Within Asia's subregions, recent massive refugee movements have altered the normal growth patterns, although the sporadic and unplanned nature of these movements makes them difficult to quantify. The number of people living in urban centers in Asia is increasing very rapidly, many of the larger cities are doubling in size every 10 years. Meeting basic needs requires at least a dual taget for each less developed country (Lds) -- an increase in gross national result of high fertility in the past, a large presence of persons in the young ages in the education. Where the general level of income is low, this high proportion of children and youth poses special problems for social and economic development. It is recognized that population is related to development, either as an acceleration or impeding factor. Many governments in the region consider that controlling the components of their population trends is vitally important to the success of their development plans.