Preconditions for a Population Policy in Botswana

Abstract

Botswana is generally regarded as a model of economic growth and democracy in Africa. The countrys rapid 3% annual rate of population growth however threatens to undermine rising living standards. Nonetheless the government has yet to assign high priority to any population policy. Other conditions than just Botswanas well-developed health infrastructure low infant mortality and high literacy rate are needed in order for an effective population policy to be implemented. The author stresses that favorable attitudes among the people toward smaller family sizes and a commitment among political leaders to long-term policies may not presently be strong enough and socioeconomic problems related to rapid population growth may not yet be extreme enough to prompt the government into action. Socioeconomic conditions the governments position family planning infrastructure and the results of a survey of popular perceptions on population growth basic needs and services land for crops and grazing and family size and family planning are discussed.