[Ethiopia] fight against poverty at risk due to population growth

from EITB 24

Studies show early marriage and ignorance about the use of contraceptives were to blame for high fertility rates.

Ethiopia's fight against poverty is in jeopardy due to an annual population growth of more than 2.5 million people, the government said on Wednesday.

The Horn of Africa nation of 75 million people is the second most populous country in sub-Saharan Africa after Nigeria and is ranked seventh poorest in the world. Foreign donors finance about one-third of Ethiopia's annual budget.

"We must take immediate and effective action to slow down population growth," Finance and Economic Development Minister Sufian Ahmed said at a workshop on population issues.

"The annual population growth of 2.5 million over the current 75 million population is alarming and could hamper the government's effort to combat poverty."

A demographic and health survey carried out in 2000 found Ethiopian women on average gave birth to 5.9 children. The study also said 44 percent of Ethiopia's population is under the age of 15.

Studies show early marriage and ignorance about the use of contraceptives were to blame for high fertility rates. "The current rapid population growth, which is mainly fuelled by high fertility rate, is seriously affecting citizens and household livelihoods and the country's effort towards sustainable development," he said.