Nepal's rapid population growth still a concern
Population headliners 1994(230): 8
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0252-3639 PMID: 12288618 Document Number: 312092
The Nepal representative of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) noted at the 194 ESCAP Commission meeting in Beijing that rapid population growth was still a problem: 2.1% per year. The annual average income growth rate was only 3.5% and poverty was widespread. The combination of poverty and rapid population growth were contributing to environmental damage. Sustainable solutions were needed for dealing with all three aforementioned issues. A high priority was already attached to population control programs, because population growth was linked to raising the standard of living and solving environmental problems. Women need to be placed in prominent positions in development efforts and given equality with men. Nepal representatives did attend the preparatory meeting on April 22, 1994, to the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) to be held in Cairo in September. The Preparatory Committee will be developing a report for the Conference. Solutions to population issues were seen as instrumental to achieving poverty alleviation and high economic growth.