Family planning policies and programmes in eight low-income countries: a comparative policy analysis
Lee, K.; Lush, L.; Walt, G.; Cleland, J.
Social Science and Medicine 47(7): 949-959
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0277-9536 PMID: 9722114 DOI: 10.1016/s0277-9536(98)00168-3Document Number: 581977
The extent to which family planning programmes are successful at reducing fertility remains a major debate among population scholars. A comparative policy analysis of four pairs of low-income countries (Bangladesh/Pakistan, Thailand/Philippines, Tunisia/Algeria and Zimbabwe/Zambia) was carried out to understand why some countries develop appropriate and effective programmes, while other countries do not. The study found that the formation of coalitions among policy elites, spread of policy risk, and institutional and financial stability were factors which supported or inhibited the adoption of strong population policies and family planning programmes.