Mali - The Demographic Challenge
Mali has demographic characteristics similar to most sub-Saharan African countries, except for those of Southern Africa. The population of Mali is very young: in 1998, 46.3 percent of the population was under 15 years of age. Whereas mortality, esp...
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| Format: | Other Health Study |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
World Bank
2012
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| Online Access: | http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/main?menuPK=64187510&pagePK=64193027&piPK=64187937&theSitePK=523679&menuPK=64187510&searchMenuPK=64187283&siteName=WDS&entityID=000333037_20100907234108 http://hdl.handle.net/10986/2900 |
| Summary: | Mali has demographic characteristics
similar to most sub-Saharan African countries, except for
those of Southern Africa. The population of Mali is very
young: in 1998, 46.3 percent of the population was under 15
years of age. Whereas mortality, especially infant and child
mortality, has decreased rapidly, fertility has remained
high over the past decades, equaling 6.6 children per woman
on average. As a result, the rate of demographic growth has
increased significantly over the last decades. Today, the
natural population growth rate is estimated at 3.3 percent
per year (it will take 21 years for the population to
double). International migration somewhat slows down this
growth, and the net population growth rate is estimated at 3
percent per year, which leads to a doubling of the
population in 23 years. This study is presented in three
chapters. The first chapter shows the present situation of
the population of Mali and its prospects for the future.
This chapter evaluates available demographic data, analyzes
the size, geographic distribution as well as the structure
and rate of growth of the population, including
international migrations. It also presents population
projections for the years 2005 to 2035, based on slow or
rapid fertility decline scenarios. Chapter two is dedicated
to the future implications of these demographic trends. It
first addresses the development of human capital
(demographic investment), especially in education and
health. It then examines the macro-economic consequences of
demographic growth for Mali. Finally, it briefly analyzes
other consequences of the high population growth, in terms
of increasing population density, agriculture, nutrition,
urbanization, environmental degradation, and maternal and
child health. The last chapter assesses the population
policies in Mali and what is needed to set into motion a
decline in fertility and presents practical recommendations. |
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