Family planning
Topic: World Population: Distribution, Density, Growth and Migration · NCERT: Class 12, Ch 2 "The World Population: Distribution, Density and Growth"
Meaning
Family planning means spacing or preventing the birth of children through informed choice and the use of contraception. Couples decide how many children to have and when. Easy access to family planning slows population growth and improves women's health, because births are fewer and better spaced.
Example
India started the world's first national family planning programme in 1952. Today India's total fertility rate is 2.0 (NFHS-5, 2019-21), which is below the replacement level of about 2.1.
Don't confuse with
- Population control measures: These cover any steps a state takes to slow growth, including tax disincentives and, at times, coercion. Family planning rests on voluntary, informed choice.
Related concepts
- Population control measures
- International Conference on Population and Development
- One-child policy
- Pronatalist policy