While much of the developed world is currently facing population collapse due to the low fertility rates among their citizens, Africa is experiencing an ever-growing population. Africa is already the youngest continent in the world, and it is set to maintain that title as more and more babies are being born around the continent at rapid rates.
However, the economic challenges faced by African countries as a result of corruption and poor governance make many wonder if perhaps the continent is producing too many babies. Questions are raised about the ability of many of our countries to maintain the rising populations, and whether the infrastructure in place is enough to handle the influx of many more children.
I am obviously aware that this is considered a sensitive topic for many people, especially in Africa. One would just have to look at the reaction someone like Bill Gates receives when he mentions the problems with Africa’s rapidly growing population. All sorts of negative labels and conspiracy theories have been waged against him as a result.
The entire topic about the high reproductive rate is considered taboo among many communities. Some of the causes of this are:
1. Religious conservatives:
Because many within the continent are religious conservatives, they see reproducing and passing on their religious beliefs as their sacred duty, therefore, many aim to have many children. As a result, they see discussions about reducing the number of children as an attack against them and their beliefs.
2. Scepticism towards Western concerns:
Scepticism towards Western concerns about Africa’s high birthrate often stems from the perception of these concerns as imperialist attempts to control or reduce Africa’s population. Given the history of colonialism, many view such concerns as inherently suspicious or motivated by agendas that may not prioritize the well-being of African nations and their people.
3. Reproductive rights:
Then there is the cohort who believe people should be free to have as many children as they want, regardless of its effects. They would contend that if families wish to have 6 or 7, or even many more children, it is their right and no one should prevent them from having children.
Discourse should take place
While I would never advocate for families being forcibly prevented from having children, in a Chinese-style one-child policy. It is important that the discussion around the high birth rates in many African countries is had.
There are many children born into terrible economic conditions, where access to education, proper healthcare, etc., is virtually non-existent. That’s not to say that just because one is destitute, they don’t deserve to have any children, either. However, the situations many of these children are being born into are not viable environments for child-rearing.
These are obviously going to be difficult discussions; however, they need to be addressed either way. There are various points that need to be taken into consideration, such as: insecurity, lack of access to education, healthcare, job opportunities, formal housing, etc. These are major factors that have to be addressed when dealing with this topic.
Corruption: the root cause
It’s essential to realize that at the heart of the discussion lies the underlying problem faced by many African nations, which is corruption. Often the reason for the unfortunate conditions many children are born into is a result of a lack of proper investment in basic infrastructure required for people to live comfortably and raise a family. It is the sad reality that another major casualty of government corruption has been the livelihoods of so many of Africa’s children.
