Nigeria Population Growth

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Nigeria Tested by Rapid Rise in Population The New York Times April 14, 2012 Othman Chaouni 100038639 Development Economics, Spring 2012 Nigeria’s rapid population growth is reaching unstable levels that have posed unprecedented consequences at both a regional and global level. At this growth rate, Nigeria’s population will expand to roughly 300 million inhabitants in an area measuring a mere 923,768 square kilometers, approximately the size of Arizona or New Mexico. This population boom can be justified by the high fertility rate’s that haunt the nation due to a series of outdated governmental policies that have encouraged large families in the past as well as a general cultural mentality which pressures women into opting to have large families. This population growth rate “far outstrips [Nigeria’s] economic expansion,” luring the country into a dangerous downward spiral. As of today, Nigeria experiences fertility rates of about 5.5, which if not actively controlled by the local government, will continue to fuel a country with a large youth population experiencing an “unemployment rate of nearly 50 percent for people in urban areas aged 15 to 25,” increased illegal immigration, and potentially an increased level of volatility and radicalism. Moreover, although the government has taken efforts to control this situation such as making contraceptives free and widespread as well has educating the population that the country’s economic salvation lies in smaller families, the general idea that “the number [of children] you have depends on your strength and capacity” instilled in the mentality of the nation’s dominant men has hindered the effects. In addition, stringent cultural and religious factors regarding contraceptive measures have stifled any notable progress made. According to Jeffrey Sachs in ‘Common wealth: economics for a crowded planet,’ failing to
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