title: Economic analyses of rapid population growth.
abstract: "Discussion of the macroeconomic consequences of rapid population growth is organized into three schools:  pessimists, optimists, and the recent revisionists.  For the revisionists, differing views are presented about the pervasiveness and relevance of market failures, such as the negative externalities of childbearing, and about the ability of families and institutions to adjust rapidly to changes brought on by rapid population growth.  A welfare economics approach is used to review the merits of various public policies to reduce fertility, including public financing of family planning services and taxes and incentives associated with childbearing."  The focus is on developing countries.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Birdsall
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D003710:Demography; D003906:Developing Countries; D004467:Economics; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005298:Fertility; D005376:Financial Management; D006285:Health Planning; D009042:Motivation; D011153:Population; D011154:Population Characteristics; D011157:Population Dynamics; D011158:Population Growth; D011640:Public Policy; D012106:Research; D013660:Taxes
keywords: Age Factors; Child--cost; Demographic Analysis; Demographic Factors; Developing Countries; Disincentives; Economic Development; Economic Factors; Family And Household; Family Planning; Family Planning Programs; Fertility; Financial Activities; Incentives; Macroeconomic Factors; Policy; Population; Population Characteristics; Population Dynamics; Population Growth; Research Methodology; Taxation; Youth