FP2020 Goals, Age Structural Changes and Poverty Reduction Strategies in Pakistan

Muhammad Asif Wazir, Population Council Pakistan
Maqsood Sadiq, Population Council

Family planning is a crucial and cost-effective intervention toward poverty reduction strategies. The aims of this study are to assess the impact of family planning on the age structural transition and poverty. Specific aims are: to identify the relationship between dependency ratio (DR) and poverty by using PSLM surveys, to assess the impact of contraceptive use on dependency ratio retrospectively, and to evaluate the impact of FP2020 goals on poverty and dependency ratios in future. Three patterns emerged; first, high dependency ratio is strongly associated with poverty, another pattern suggesting contraceptive use has substantial impact on the age structure and dependency ratio in the past as well as in future, and finally by achieving FP2020 goals and subsequent fertility decline have significant impact on the poverty. This will lead to low dependency ratio, greater household savings, and a reduction in poverty.