Demographic transition and policy challenges

Bangladesh has experienced a large growth of population in the past, but due to the success of family planning programmes, the level of total fertility rate has declined rapidly.Human capital accumulation factors have been emerging as very important determinants in shaping up both the future growth of population and development. Moreover, once the process of population momentum is initiated, the population will keep on increasing very rapidly during the next 40-50 years until it is eventually stabilised. The overall economic growth will be severely affected due to the population momentum, and without integrated policy measures, it would be difficult to face the emerging challenges. This paper examines the status of demographic transition, and the factors attributable to such transition as well as potential barriers, their potential impact and relevant policy options