The necessity of having smaller families

However, the development in family size ought to be kept up for health and happiness of the people as a whole

It is a piece of good news that in Bangladesh people are having smaller families these days and women’s fertility rate is also dropping. In different conditions large families and woman’s higher fertility rate are indeed regarded as a boon, but in Bangladesh perspective where the size of its population are much greater than its geographical size and resources, the trend of having smaller families and reduced fertility rate can evade disasters caused by overpopulation. Experts in this regard have rightly observed that this development will yield long-term results in the country’s socio-economic development.

According to a report published in this newspaper, the average size of families in Bangladesh was 4.06 in 2016 whereas in 2001 it was 4.90. The Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) 2016 that supplied these figures of family size also revealed that women’s fertility rate has dropped to 2.3 in 2014 compared to 6.3 in 1971.

Indeed this decline is due to higher percentage in education, people’s awareness about benefits of having a smaller family as well as the economic development that the country has achieved over the years. Along with these developments, people’s life expectancy has also increased which is currently 72 years, as a corollary to these developments. Obviously, if greater number of people in the population can be educated and further economic advancement achieved, people will live here a more balanced and confident family life.

There is little doubt that if women in increasing number enter in income generating activities it would also raise the standard of life in a family. That is why the relevant policy makers need to give even more focus in female education. Indeed, educated mothers can build an educated nation.     

It is interesting to note here that both in the rural and urban areas, people are increasingly having smaller families. Even then, it is the rural population that is lagging behind in education in Bangladesh. Their participation in economic activities is also limited. And to harness the full potential of our population, it is necessary to make a balanced rural and urban development.     

However, the development in family size ought to be kept up for health and happiness of people as a whole. In this regard, the ministry of health and family planning should chalk out campaign programmes to raise people’s awareness about benefits of having smaller families.  

The necessity of having smaller families

However, the development in family size ought to be kept up for health and happiness of the people as a whole

It is a piece of good news that in Bangladesh people are having smaller families these days and womens fertility rate is also dropping. In different conditions large families and womans higher fertility rate are indeed regarded as a boon, but in Bangladesh perspective where the size of its population are much greater than its geographical size and resources, the trend of having smaller families and reduced fertility rate can evade disasters caused by overpopulation. Experts in this regard have rightly observed that this development will yield long-term results in the countrys socio-economic development. According to a report published in this newspaper, the average size of families in Bangladesh was 4.06 in 2016 whereas in 2001 it was 4.90. The Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) 2016 that supplied these figures of family size also revealed that womens fertility rate has dropped to 2.3 in 2014 compared to 6.3 in 1971. Indeed this decline is due to higher percentage in education, peoples awareness about benefits of having a smaller family as well as the economic development that the country has achieved over the years. Along with these developments, peoples life expectancy has also increased which is currently 72 years, as a corollary to these developments. Obviously, if greater number of people in the population can be educated and further economic advancement achieved, people will live here a more balanced and confident family life. There is little doubt that if women in increasing number enter in income generating activities it would also raise the standard of life in a family. That is why the relevant policy makers need to give even more focus in female education. Indeed, educated mothers can build an educated nation. It is interesting to note here that both in the rural and urban areas, people are increasingly having smaller families. Even then, it is the rural population that is lagging behind in education in Bangladesh. Their participation in economic activities is also limited. And to harness the full potential of our population, it is necessary to make a balanced rural and urban development. However, the development in family size ought to be kept up for health and happiness of people as a whole. In this regard, the ministry of health and family planning should chalk out campaign programmes to raise peoples awareness about benefits of having smaller families.