Rapid Population Growth: Effects on the Social Infrastructures of Southern Africa

This article looks at the effects of rapid population growth in southern Africa on social infrastructure, notably education, health, urbanization and housing, and the role of women. It shows that population growth is a major obstacle to efforts to alleviate poverty, sustain socioeconomic development and improve the status of women. Curtailing population growth must therefore be a major priority. What is needed is a subtle mix of education, economic development, land reform and other improvements in the lot of southern Africa’s women. Ref.