Fertility Rate Misinformation Threatens to Undermine Family Planning Efforts

Migration, not contraception, driving Nepal’s population changes, experts clarify

Concerns about Nepal’s rapidly declining population are unfounded and threaten to undermine essential family planning programs, experts explained at a recent forum in Kathmandu. Despite alarmist claims, Nepal’s population continues to grow, increasing by 2.67 million over the past decade to reach 29.16 million in 2021.

The interaction program, organized by the Forum for Women, Law and Development (FWLD) and Amplify Change, brought together specialists who addressed widespread misinformation about the country’s demographic trends. They presented an advocacy paper titled “Need for Family Planning: Even Greater Priority” that directly challenges narratives suggesting family planning services should be scaled back.

“The decline in fertility and population growth rates isn’t primarily due to increased contraceptive use,” explained one participant. Instead, the trend stems from multiple socioeconomic factors, with migration playing a dominant role. Approximately 34 percent of married women in Nepal have husbands working abroad, significantly impacting birth rates.

Other key factors include delayed marriages, higher education levels, and economic considerations that lead couples to have children later in life or choose smaller families. Experts emphasized that these represent natural demographic transitions rather than a crisis requiring intervention.

The forum specifically addressed misconceptions about population decline in 33 districts. While these areas show negative growth rates, experts clarified this results predominantly from outmigration driven by lack of basic infrastructure, employment opportunities, healthcare access, and education—not from contraceptive use as some have suggested.

According to the advocacy paper, Nepal’s population will continue growing for decades. “It could take another 25 to 40 years for Nepal’s population growth to turn negative,” noted the report, contradicting claims that immediate policy changes are needed to boost birth rates.

A coalition of 18 organizations warned that misguided narratives suggesting family planning is no longer necessary could severely undermine public health initiatives. They emphasized that family planning extends far beyond population control, playing crucial roles in improving maternal and child health, women’s empowerment, HIV prevention, infertility management, poverty reduction, and educational advancement.

Dr. Mahesh Puri of Crehpa Foundation provided context for Nepal’s demographic situation, noting that with a population growth rate of 0.92 percent and a fertility rate of approximately two children per woman, “it may take about 75 years for the rate to decline significantly.” He stressed that Nepal should focus on population management rather than control strategies.

The forum also highlighted funding challenges for family planning services. Sharmila Dahal, chief of the Family Planning Section at the Ministry of Health and Population, noted a significant decline in international support. While UNFPA previously supplied contraceptives worth $32 million, this assistance has decreased substantially, forcing the government to increase its own spending from Rs 60 million annually to Rs 170 million this year.

“We now need around Rs 250 million to adequately meet demand,” Dahal explained, pointing to the growing financial burden on Nepal’s health system as international donors reduce their commitments.

Nepal’s constitution and laws recognize reproductive health and family planning as fundamental rights, emphasizing that family size decisions remain individual choices. Public health advocates at the forum stressed the importance of maintaining these rights while ensuring accurate information guides policy decisions.

As Nepal navigates these demographic transitions, experts called for evidence-based approaches that recognize both population trends and the continuing importance of comprehensive family planning services.