Demography and reproductive rights are environmental issues: Insights from sub-Saharan Africa

By Céline Delacroix, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

Sub-Saharan Africa’s population is growing three times faster than the rest of the world with an average of 4.6 births per woman in 2021. By comparison, the fertility rate in Canada was 1.3 births per woman in 2022.

The region is projected to continue to be the fastest growing in the world, with a population increasing from 1.2 billion in 2021 to 2.1 billion in 2050.

Sustained and rapid population growth has deep implications for development, exacerbating social, economic and environmental challenges from food insecurity and gender inequity to environmental degradation.

At the same time, Sub-Saharan Africa also has a disproportionate vulnerability to climate change and environmental degradation.

It is critical that population dynamics and reproductive health be at the forefront of ongoing environmental discussions.

Population dynamics and environment

There are many just and humane ways to slow the pace of rapid population growth while also respecting human rights and the need for economic development. Key to this goal is advancing reproductive rights, gender equity and education.

Advancing reproductive autonomy by ensuring that individuals have the means to choose the timing and frequency of childbearing carries significant benefits for climate change resilience and environmental sustainability.

As individuals are given the means to choose the number, timing and spacing of their children, they tend to have fewer children.

It is estimated that if the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals target for contraceptive use and education are met, global population size would decline from today’s 8 billion to 6.29 billion in 2100. If not, then the United Nations medium projection of 10.3 billion appears more likely.

Yet, despite their far-ranging implications for environmental sustainability, demographic trajectories are largely omitted or regarded as set in stone by the development and environmental communities. This makes for a missed opportunity for transformative change.

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