ブックタイトル佐藤栄作　受賞論文集

概要

佐藤栄作　受賞論文集

growth had stayed almost null for the 99% of the 15 million years of human history(Kono 1986:5). Even by 1950, the population is known to have been approximately 2.5billion (Kono 1986:1), indicating that the population has more than doubled during thelast half century. In such state, growth in global population gives rise to numerous andsevere issues. Firstly, it becomes a great inhibition in endeavors toward developmentas it causes a dearth for food, clean water, living space and employment. Sincethe 1950’s, demand for water alone is estimated to have risen threefold. Secondlyfurther demand for grains, aquatic products, forestry products, minerals, energyand others to match the needs of the additional population will cause excessive useof natural resources, leading to forest destruction, land erosion, water salination,desertification, submerging lands and so on, further deteriorating agricultural landsand causing environmental damage (Salas 1984: 77). According to statistics, 96% ofthe population growth noted in the modern era is happening in third world countries(United Nations, 2004). Several key factors are responsible for this phenomenon. Oneof the first variables causing this would be the economic system based on agriculturein those nations, for in areas where agricultural business is the key economicindustry, the greater the number of working hands the better. Another variable islack of appropriate sexual, reproductive and/or contraceptive knowledge, leadingto unwanted pregnancy. Furthermore, in areas where educational infrastructureis not yet sufficiently developed, people, especially female population, may not onlybe uneducated but also be illicit, in which case gaining knowledge on reproductivehealth will be a further difficulty. Thirdly, accessibility of reproductive health servicesis another factor that plays a major role in population growth. It is not unusual forrural areas in third world nations to be lacking in any medical facilities, let aloneone that can provide reproductive health services. Even in areas where UNFPA has516