7. Population Programmes and Their Implications for Poverty Reduction in Indonesia and Nigeria, 1966–1999

Abstract

This chapter assesses the contribution of population policy and programmes to the divergence in poverty levels between Nigeria and Indonesia in the period 1966-1999. These two dates marked the span of military regimes and the transition to democratic governance in 1999. Primary attention is given to the different institutional set-up for population policy formulation and implementation in the two countries. The nexus between population growth and development has been explored among others by Benneh, Leete, Eltigani, Karim, Szirmai, and HPCR. Particularly in regard to the divergence in development trajectories of Nigeria and Indonesia, Tirtosudarmo and McNicoll alluded to the potential impact of the population factor, but not specifically to the differential adoption and implementation of population policies and the implications for poverty reduction in the two countries. McNicoll's analysis was limited to an examination of legacy factors that affect fertility. Keywords: Indonesia; McNicoll; Nigeria; population policy; population programmes; poverty reduction