Asia's population successes bring new challenges

Half a century ago, the world was warned of the imminent explosion of "the population bomb". There were fears that humanity would suffer mass starvation and that societies would plunge into turmoil - all because of overpopulation.

At that time, Asia was considered to be at the core of the problem. The average woman in Asia could expect to bear five children in her lifetime. The region's population was projected to double in 33 years.

Many countries responded by embarking on programmes to control population growth. The landmark 1994 International Conference on Population and Development, attended by 179 governments, shifted the discourse on "population control" to people-centred development.

The programme of action established inseparable linkages between population and development policies, with a clear focus on sexual and reproductive health from the standpoint of human rights - in particular, the rights of women and families to decide whether and when to have children.

The probability of every child surviving to adulthood was greatly increased. Families acquired better knowledge of sexual and reproductive health. Many more were given the means to make informed decisions about their fertility.

The Asia-Pacific region can be proud of its successes: an average woman today has around two children instead of five. Life expectancy has increased dramatically. Almost as many girls as boys enter primary school.