Indonesia Achievements in Family Planning Contribute to One of the Developing World’s Best Family Planning Programs
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A woman and her two daughters at a family planning/well-child clinic in Java, Indonesia. Read more about family planning in Indonesia.
Source: © 1995 Cathryn Wilcox/CCP, Courtesy of Photoshare |
In March 2005, confirming his commitment to family planning (FP) as a national priority, Indonesia President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said, “High population growth without rapid economic growth will result in poverty and setbacks … Large numbers of children and high populations will only bring advantages if they are skilled. However, low-skilled populations and children will turn into a heavy burden for the state.”
With the 35-year partnership of USAID and Indonesia drawing to a close in September, the achievements of the FP program they created together are notable.
In the 1960s, women had an average of six children; in 2003, the average family size was between two and three. If current levels continue, average family size will be two children by 2016 – the replacement level at which births and deaths are balanced.
The Indonesia Demographic and Health Survey of 2002–03 showed that more couples desired smaller families. Other recent surveys showed that more than half of Indonesia’s women who have two children did not want any more.
Fifty-eight percent of married couples are using modern contraception methods. Of the 11 Asian nations, Indonesia ranks fourth in contraceptive prevalence, a remarkable achievement.
Indonesia is one of very few developing countries to have up-to-date national standards for FP services, infection prevention, family planning counseling, and safe delivery care. Indonesia is unique in that the private sector provides the majority of FP services. More services provided by the private sector mean less of a burden on government resources.
Read more on USAID’s family planning work in Indonesia
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