Do Population Policies Matter? Fertility and Politics in Egypt, India, Kenya, and Mexico

Abstract

How are effective population policies articulated and implemented? Have international agencies played a strong role in prompting developing-country governments to adopt and implement strong population policies? How has the international debate influenced deliberations on population issues in developing countries? The impetus for the four country studies presented in this book was provided by a desire to better understand some of these issues within specific contexts. Egypt, India, Kenya, and Mexico were selected because of their demographic weight, a long history of population policies and programs, and evidence of fertility decline. The four country studies examine the influence of many forces on the design and implementation of population policies. The authors extrapolate from their findings to speculate on the future of population policy within the countries under consideration.