Dausi says Malawi’s rapid population growth alarming
Minister of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Nicholas Dausi has bemoaned the country’s rapid population growth since independence, saying it is exerting much pressure on resources and slowing economic growth.
Dausi said this on Tuesday in Karonga on the sidelines of a district executive committee (DEC) meeting where he briefed members on recent developments under his ministry.
The briefing was mainly on newly enacted laws, namely Access to Information (ATI) Act, Electronic Transactions and Cyber Security Act and the Communications Act.
Dausi said uncontrolled population growth is retrogressive to economic development as the country’s resources can never be adequate for everybody.
“The rate of population growth in Malawi is quite alarming; it is, in fact, one of the highest in the world, exceeding most developed countries.
“Imagine in 1964 when we got independence Malawi’s population was only about 2.5 million and in 2017 the population has increased to 17 million indicating that there is no control. But the land’s size and resources remain the same,’’ he said.
The minister cited the depletion of Viphya Plantation in Mzimba District.
“It was deemed the largest man-made forest in Central Africa; but, unfortunately, human activities have rendered the plantation almost bare, partly attributable to population pressure,” he said.
Dausi asked DEC members to take a leading role in sensitising communities to the importance of birth control saying if practised universally, Malawi’s economy would eventually grow.
Malawi’s rising population has been a serious cause for worry for the country’s socio-development, economy and environment for many years now.
According to statistics from the 2015-16 Malawi Demographic and Health Survey (MDHS) conducted by the National Statistical Office (NSO), the country’s population stands at 17 749 826.
This statistic shows an increase of 3.11 percent from a similar survey carried out in 2010 whose rise was 2.99 percent from the preceding survey.
According to economist Dalitso Kubalasa, who is executive director at Malawi Economic Justice Network (Mejn) this population boom poses a great threat to the country.
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Children are “life savings” for poor people. A person with nothing looks to his children to help him in old age. Since some may die young, poor parents must have as many children as possible to ensure that some survive up to the parents’ old age. All this is basic development economics. This has been known for ages. A government that is serious about development can reduce population growth by providing alternatives to this “old age insurance” by raising the educational and economic prospects of the poor. The problem for the DPP government is that it is simply too corrupt… Read more »
He should tell corrupted Karonga chefs who are giving entre to Rwandas, TZ and Burundis into the country and who are getting citizenship by corruption to become Malawians from Karonga. Its not only Malawians who are increasing but number of foreigners coming to Malawi. Second lack of information to poor village Malawians in the villages. U can not only teach women about family plan u have to teach men too. Un educated Malawians in the village dont know what inpack on economy when one has many children. For him he thinks its5a women, s responsibility. In West Its a man… Read more »
Shut up Dausi. God said to be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth. Trust God, not man. Keep your birth control and abortion-murders.
Good observation Minister but the tangible solution to this population mess lies with govt itself. For instance, you may come up with an Act or amend the existing one to limit the number of children per family to 2 and in addition put hefty penalties for those who have children out of a recognisable form of marriage. Time is running out on this issue and you need to act fast and not the politically correct way as observed by the VP.