Case study of a youthful population: The Gambia
Smallest country in Africa (10,000km2) - sandwiched between Senegal.
95% Muslim
11/1000 mothers will die during childbirth
Life expectancy is 59.
Population is currently 1.8 million, expected to double within 28 years.
1/10 children die before their first birthday.
Only 3.1% of the population are over 65.
Causes
Fertility rate is 7; birth rate is 40/1000.
Infant mortality is high (78/1000, 53rd highest in the world) so mothers
have more children (insurance babies).
Contraception is a taboo subject in Gambia due to religious and tribal
beliefs, and has been actively discouraged.
Children are needed for manual labour on farms. 1/3 of 14 year old work to
support their families.
Impacts
Schools operate ‘two shift system’ due to lack of teachers and schools. As
a result some teachers work 12 hour days.
Lack of knowledge around contraception.
High dependency ratio, however this is reducing as dependents have to
become contributors to support their families.
Strain on health system, especially maternity wards
Deforestation – all of Gambia’s forests will disappear within next 50 years.
2/3 has disappeared since 2000.
Solutions
Social Marketing Management Programme – increased access to
contraception has reduced incidence of HIV/AIDS and unplanned
pregnancies. Prices are subsidised by WHO.
500,000 condoms and pills sold in first 8 months – total population of
country is 1.8 million.
Child Health Centre in Serrekunda provides healthcare for 50,000 Gambian
children; scheme is supported by the Canadian Government.
Family Planning: women encouraged to ‘space births’.
Cultural shift towards women – Gambia Help support projects to help local
women.
Forest Management plan supported by German Government.
Action Aid help children stay in education by providing flexible lesson
times so children can work and study.
Improve agricultural techniques: 75% of population rely on agriculture, yet
only 17% of land is suitable for farming.
Smallest country in Africa (10,000km2) - sandwiched between Senegal.
95% Muslim
11/1000 mothers will die during childbirth
Life expectancy is 59.
Population is currently 1.8 million, expected to double within 28 years.
1/10 children die before their first birthday.
Only 3.1% of the population are over 65.
Causes
Fertility rate is 7; birth rate is 40/1000.
Infant mortality is high (78/1000, 53rd highest in the world) so mothers
have more children (insurance babies).
Contraception is a taboo subject in Gambia due to religious and tribal
beliefs, and has been actively discouraged.
Children are needed for manual labour on farms. 1/3 of 14 year old work to
support their families.
Impacts
Schools operate ‘two shift system’ due to lack of teachers and schools. As
a result some teachers work 12 hour days.
Lack of knowledge around contraception.
High dependency ratio, however this is reducing as dependents have to
become contributors to support their families.
Strain on health system, especially maternity wards
Deforestation – all of Gambia’s forests will disappear within next 50 years.
2/3 has disappeared since 2000.
Solutions
Social Marketing Management Programme – increased access to
contraception has reduced incidence of HIV/AIDS and unplanned
pregnancies. Prices are subsidised by WHO.
500,000 condoms and pills sold in first 8 months – total population of
country is 1.8 million.
Child Health Centre in Serrekunda provides healthcare for 50,000 Gambian
children; scheme is supported by the Canadian Government.
Family Planning: women encouraged to ‘space births’.
Cultural shift towards women – Gambia Help support projects to help local
women.
Forest Management plan supported by German Government.
Action Aid help children stay in education by providing flexible lesson
times so children can work and study.
Improve agricultural techniques: 75% of population rely on agriculture, yet
only 17% of land is suitable for farming.
