Communication and Population Change in Africa

Abstract

Although Africas share of the world population (10.1% in 1977) is small relative to her geographical size (22.3% of total world land area) her population is among the fastest (if not the fastest) growing populations in the world. Her average rate of population growth was estimated at 2.8%/annum during 1975-1977. This rapid rate of growth was seen to be a result of high birth rates (about 47 births/thousand population/annum) and relatively high if not declining death rates (19/thousand population/annum). It is desirable to reduce the current rapid rates of population growth in most African countries in order to facilitate their efforts at economic development. Communication has an important (even if marginal) role to play in any organized attempt at fertility reduction in Africa. (authors modified)