Population growth without regard for territorial capacities and the quality of human capital does not lead to development
Population growth without regard for territorial capacities and the quality of human capital does not lead to development
The Director of the Social Determinants of Health Research Center emphasized that an approach solely focused on increasing birth rates without considering economic and environmental constraints is incomplete. He stated that the success of population policies depends on balancing the population size with national resources, improving the quality of human capital, and ensuring livelihood security and social welfare.
According to a report by Web Day University's correspondent, Dr. Mahdi Basakha, a faculty member at the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, noted the necessity of revising population policies, stating: A focus on population growth should not be an independent goal isolated from the country's realities. An approach that merely emphasizes increasing birth rates is incomplete, as continuous population growth without regard for territorial, economic, and environmental capacities will not be sustainable.
The Necessity of Balancing Population and Territorial Capacities
Noting that every society faces limitations in water, soil, energy, and public infrastructure resources, he added: If the population grows beyond these capacities, the result will not be an increase in national power, but rather intensified pressure on resources, decreased quality of life, deepening inequalities, and increased economic and social vulnerabilities.
The Director of the Social Determinants of Health Research Center emphasized: In economic literature, population does not simply mean the number of individuals; rather, the primary issue is the quality of human capital and the extent to which all members of society benefit from health, education, skills, and productivity. A society that invests in the quality of its population can achieve welfare and sustainable development even with a lower growth rate.
The Need to Determine an Optimal Population for Sustainable Support
Dr. Basakha identified the first step in population policymaking as determining the optimal population for the country, saying: It must be determined how much population Iran can sustainably support given its natural resources, economic capabilities, and infrastructural capacity. The experience of past decades shows that rapid population growth has imposed long-term costs on the country, such as water crises, pressure on the labor market, and challenges for the social security system.
Referring to the importance of a desirable age structure, he added: A successful population policy is one that maintains a balance among different age groups. Simply increasing birth rates without a plan for the education and employment of future generations means merely postponing the problem to future years.
Population Management: Beyond Increasing Birth Rates
The faculty member described population management as a comprehensive concept, noting: Population management means enhancing human capital by reducing preventable mortality, increasing healthy life expectancy, preventing the migration of skilled professionals, and strengthening targeted immigration capacities.
Explaining the link between population management and economic justice, Dr. Basakha stated: Unchecked population growth under resource constraints usually leads to a more unequal distribution of opportunities. If employment, housing, and healthcare services do not develop in proportion to population growth, pressure on the lower classes of society increases, and social divides deepen.
Enhancing the Quality of Human Capital: The Key to Sustainable Development
He also referred to family economics, adding: Under resource constraints, increasing the number of children may lead to decreased investment in the quality of education and health for each child; therefore, public policy should focus on enhancing the quality of human capital.
In conclusion, the Director of the Social Determinants of Health Research Center emphasized: The success of population policies becomes meaningful only when people enjoy livelihood security, health, and hope for the future. Today, Iran requires a comprehensive strategy to create a balance between the population and the country's capacities, ensuring that the population acts as a real asset for social security and welfare.
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