Population Growth and Economic Development Revisited with Reference to Asia

Abstract

Population growth and economic development is a centuries-old theme that regained prominence in the 1960s. At that time, several developing countries experienced sharp accelerations in their population growth rates, just as they were formulating or revising their development plans and strategies. However, in most cases population growth was regarded as a given. In the 1970s, the population issue took a back seat as attention was focused on basic needs and income distribution concerns, not to mention the difficulties brought about by the oil shocks. The 1980s saw the debt problem coming to a head and commodity prices plummeting, which, among other factors, intensified the need for structural reforms. These market-based reforms have led to beneficial and enduring results in a number of East and Southeast Asian developing countries. These countries have largely accounted for the much-vaunted economic dynamism of the Asian and Pacific region…