Low population growth a big worry
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is worried about its declining population growth rate and whether there will be enough young adults after it becomes a developed country.
Statistics show that the population growth rate has dropped to 2.2% in 2008 from 2.6% in 2000. The declining trend has been in evidence since the country’s first census in 1970.
“If we do not take appropriate steps, we will have an aging population in the next 20 to 30 years,” said National Population and Family Development Board director-general Datuk Aminah Abdul Rahman.
She was speaking to reporters at a seminar on Population, Environment and Climate Change, which was opened by Women, Family and Community Development Deputy Minister Heng Seai Kie here yesterday.
Several factors had caused the fertility rate to decline, she said, adding that more people were getting married at an older age and preferring to have fewer children.
“Malaysian families are also worried about the future, cost of living and their inability to balance their work and family responsibility.”
Aminah said that an aging population also meant that the young were increasingly made to support the elderly.
link -
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/7/13/nation/6653397&sec=nation========
A couple of observations -
1) It is apparent, from this and other articles & statements (particularly by Politicians & Economists), that LOW POPULATION GROWTH IS A GREAT CONCERN, at least in some circles, such as Politicians & Economists.
2) It is also apparent that Low Population & Economic GROWTH, are also of great concern, in those same circles.
3) It is also apparent that an AGING Population, is also of great concern, in those same circles.
I can only agree that there are legimate concerns involved in each of the above and that there will be a great deal of pain involved, in the transition periods.
However, these are SHORT TERM problems and with goodwill, from all, they are not insurmountable.
That said, if left by Politicians, Economists, Big Business & the Public, for the Future to somehow magically resolve, they will only fester into larger, species threatening problems, involving -
1) Over-Population!
2) Essential Resources Depletion/Exhaustion!
3) Catastrophic Climate Change, brought on by all that over-Population implies!
There are choices to be made, between a better now or a future for our children.
DO NOT RELY ON POLITICIANS, their timeline focus only goes to the next election!
If the RIGHT (CORRECT) things are to be done, YOU & I, will have to say what we want, clearly & unmistakeably.
If you want to be taken seriously, then vote out every incumbent Politician, at the next election & again at the following, until they get the message and take the RIGHT (CORRECT) ACTIONS!
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The Population Debate (Read 181946 times)
