Friday, February 11, 2011

Is Overpopulation the Real Culprit for the Poverty in the Philippines? Let the statistics tell us the truth.

Are we really overpopulated compared to our neighbouring Asian countries? Is rapid population growth the main reason for our poverty as a nation? Does slow birth rate automatically translate to a nation’s progress? What are the effects of slow population growth to a country and what are its implications to its future? There had been a lot of debates on population issues and the RH Bill in the past year. The debates and talks on these issues continue until now. This has prompted me to make my own study to verify what many people are saying about the population in our country. I didn’t want to simply accept what I read from the newspapers and the internet or hear from media men and women. I wanted to see the statistics myself; so I did some research and made my own computations.

I looked up the current populations of the Philippines and its neighbouring countries like Japan and Singapore, which are among the progressive and rich countries in Asia and the world today. I got the total land area of these countries and computed for their population densities. I also checked their income per capita and their ranking worldwide. I was surprised with my findings.

I found out that the Philippines has a slightly lower population density compared to Japan. Our population density based on the projected population for 2010 is 323 per square kilometer. Population density is computed by dividing the country’s population with its total land area. Japan’s population density is 336. What shocked me the most was that Singapore’s population density (7149) is 22 times bigger than that of the Philippines considering that our land area is 422 times bigger than theirs. If we look at the figures, we could safely say that Singapore is truly overpopulated and that it’s far more crowded compared to the Philippines. But why do we feel that the Philippines is already crowded because of overpopulation? Another interesting statistic explains why. Sixty-five percent (65%) of the total population in the Philippines is in the urban areas. In fact, Metro Manila is the 11th most populated metropolitan area in the world; while if we combine the population of Metro Manila and the other cities that comprise the greater Manila area, we would be ranked fifth in the world. So, are we overpopulated? Yes, we are… in the urban areas. But why are most Filipinos in the metros? Isn’t it that there are so many informal urban dwellers (squatters) who don’t have jobs but insist on living in the cities? Why not try to earn a living in the rural areas instead of becoming unemployed? Or maybe the government should channel and invest more budget and resources on providing jobs in the rural areas so that those informal urban dwellers that don’t have the skill set and the educational background to qualify in jobs in the metros can be encouraged to move to the rural areas.



Another interesting finding that I got was when I compared the per capita income of the three countries. Per Capita Income or income per person is the numerical quotient of national income divided by population, in monetary terms. The per capita income of Singapore is $20,066.00 per person. That’s 21 times bigger than our per capita income. Japan’s per capita income is $35,474.10 per person. That’s 38 times bigger than our per capita income which is only $920.19 per person. Why is that so? If Singapore is more crowded compared to the Philippines, why do they have a higher income per capita? Why is the per capita income in Japan far from the per capita income in the Philippines when our population densities are almost the same? In spite of their high population densities, Singapore is ranked 19th in the world while Japan is ranked 3rd in the world when it comes to per capita income. These statistics clearly show that overpopulation is not a deterrent to progress and growth. Do you want to know what our ranking is when it comes to per capita income worldwide? We are 109th. Why can Singapore and Japan generate that much income while we can’t? What’s stopping us? If it’s not population, then what could it be?
The economist, Julian Simon, in his book The Ultimate Resource argued that higher population density leads to more specialization and technological innovation, which in turn lead to a higher standard of living. According to him, human beings are the ultimate resource since we possess "productive and inventive minds that help find creative solutions to man’s problems, thus leaving us better off over the long run". He also said that, "Our species is better off in just about every measurable material way." Simon further says that if you considered a list of countries ranked in order by population density, there is no correlation between population density and poverty and famine. Instead, if you considered a list of countries ranked in order by corruption within their respective governments, there is a significant correlation between government corruption and poverty and famine.

Julian Simon, therefore, contradicts Malthus’ theory that population would eventually reach a resource limit (overpopulation), and any further increase would result in a population crash, caused by famine, disease, or war. So far, this theory of Malthus is yet to be backed by statistical evidence.

What have I learned so far with my little research? I learned once more that I should not accept everything that media feeds me. I should verify things before I accept them as truth. I also learned that the poverty in our country is not really caused by overpopulation but a mixture of bad governance, inequitable distribution of resources and failure of the government to provide enough jobs especially in the rural areas. Moreover, I realized that Simon is correct that human beings are the ultimate resource and that we should invest more funds on developing our people instead of putting an end to life. If the funds that the government intends to put on free condoms, contraceptives and sex education of young children would be channeled to the right areas (like education and employment opportunities) many poor Filipinos would be better off.

In a previous research I made in preparation for a presentation to college students last year, I discovered the current population problem of First World Countries and how this impacts their future. In Europe for example, they are trying to attract more migrant workers or overseas workers especially in the medical field because there is already an imbalance in the working population and in the senior citizens that depend on the state for support. Their slow birth rate and population growth becomes a liability now instead of an asset because they are slowly moving to the point wherein they will have less and less working people in their population. Their population is growing old faster than the rate by which children are born. Let us not look far. Let’s take the case of Japan. Japan is age¬ing at a higher rate than any other nation. It is estimated that there will be three pensioners for every child below 15 years old and that one in six people will be over 80 by the end of this decade. Their population will soon be falling by nearly a million people every year and some predict that, sometime in the next century, it’s possible that the last Japanese person will die. What did they do that led to their slow birth rate? What population policies did they adapt before? Let’s look closely and study the experience of these countries before we rally behind a birth control or population control policy like the RH Bill. Surely, we don’t want to bring ourselves to the same predicament in the future.

To say that controlling our population would be the answer to our nation’s poverty is a lie. Let us not allow ourselves to be fooled by the proponents of the RH Bill who instill fear for life instead of celebrating it. Life is both a gift and a responsibility. We need to learn how to use it to harness the many good that it can bring us. It is not easy to be responsible and disciplined. That is why many choose to put the blame on other people or other issues. But if we arm ourselves with truth and wisdom that comes from above, we can give ourselves and others the experience of a beautiful and abundant life.

31 comments:

  1. Nice article...though if you can put the data in tables para more readable...Thanks for the research!

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  2. This population issue has always struck me as something like kids in a playground looking around, noticing other kids coming in, thinking "Oh no, now we've got to share the swings, can't the stupid playground owner close the gates? Doesn't he know this playground ain't big enough for all of us? And we got here first!" Except the kids are now bigger and more powerful, and they can make the small kids stay out, for different reasons: your coming was not planned, you don't have a bright future waiting for you here, or (based on that recent news I saw), you've got Down's syndrome and this playground is not equipped to handle kids like you. Heck, in some countries, they're also booting out kids who have been in the playground too long: you're too old, you're too sick, you're never going to get well. There, now there are less kids in the playground. We've got the swings to ourselves. I wonder what the playground owner could be thinking.

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  3. hope this makes us realize that federalism will help so that majority of the population wont flock to manila and instead have opportunities in their own provinces, a unitary government is not working for us, time to develop the rest of the country and not devote the bulk of our taxes to ncr only!

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  4. Very good article..Our gov't should tackle this issue more than anything else.

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  5. Our culture thinks that having too many children is a burden. If we are to look through history there was never a time when progress is linked to depopulation nor is population control a precursor to progress. God has great things planned for all of us. I would also like to share what a social scientist named Stephen Mosher who works for the Population Institute in the US said. According to him he was struck by the fact that the Church does not only have the fullness of the truth in matters of faith and morals but also in the socioeconomic and all possible truth seeking levels. He cited the example whether the children are burden or a blessing. Stephen Mosher quoted the Church and bible saying that children are a blessing from God and made in the image of God. The world does not see it this way because it says that it takes $200,000 to raise an infant to adulthood and so they are a burden on family, society and the planet. But he also said that if calculated we’ll see that the average child in the US will contribute 2/3 in his/her lifetime more in the economy than they will consume, therefore they are a blessing. Now, who is correct? Children are a blessing according to the Church or is it the world's point of view that a child is a burden. This is is just one example why the Church teaching is not only true and correct on the level of faith and morals but in all levels.

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    1. Yes, not only are our Church leaders/fathers knowledgeable and educated, they are also wise. They are not perfect and they make mistakes; but the Holy Spirit guides them and uses them to lead His flock. God's wisdom is upon them. Let's continue to pray for our Church and all priests, bishops and the Pope. May they be strong in these challenging times.

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  6. Thanks for sharing this. I hope our government will have the wisdom to know what's good and what's bad for the entire nation.
    I just noticed there's an error in the table, Japan's Population density should be 336 instead of 36.

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    1. Thanks for pointing out also the typographical error. I already corrected the table.

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  7. The data maybe correct. But RH bill is pro-Life not ani-Life. Using artificial contraption is not abortion. Calendar method does not work in women who has an irregular menstruation, then what else you can give? what is the alternative? The bishops and priests are not married so they don't understand the very meaning of the way of living for married, although not all priests are anti-RH, they don't speak up because of the bishops.

    For those people say that RH bill is evil. Which is evil to use artificial contraception or not to feed the ten children?

    Live realistically not idealistically.

    Sometimes truth maybe harsh, Galileo Galilei and Martin Luther both was excommunicated by the church. Few decades later, what happen? See...sometimes bishops get mistake also.

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    1. If the RH Bill is pro-life, then it should not allow the use of abortifacients. The use of articifial contraceptives by people can eventually lead to a corruption of the values and conscience of those using them. When people develop a contraceptive mentality because of their constant use of artificial contraceptives, it would not be surprising if in the long run they will permit abortion as well. The use of artificial contraceptives is a manifestation of these people's mindsets or paradigms.

      You asked for alternatives? The practice of temperance, abstinence, other forms/ways of being intimate with your spouse and bonding through common interests are some of my recommended alternatives. There is so much that every couple can experience together that can help build and strengthen their relationship and marriage. Sex is just one way. Besides, married people have so much to juggle and be busy with. There's more to married life than just having sex. I know this to be true because I'm also a married person with kids. I do not agree however with your view that priests do not understand married people because they are not married. I believe that having the same experience is not a prerequisite to understanding. I don't need to experience the pain of having my hand burned to understand the danger of touching fire with my bare hands.

      As for your question about which is evil between using artificial contraception and not feeding ten children, I think that both are manifestations of irresponsibility and that the parent/s are to blame if they cannot feed their ten children. If they can't afford to raise and feed a big family, then they should have exercised restraint and self-control. We are humans, not animals. God made us strong enough to control our emotions and desires. When we forget our identity and dignity as humans, we begin to act like animals. That is not being idealistic. That is living our humanity and our dignity as sons and daughters of God to the fullest.

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    2. :))thank you for sharing your blessing and wisdom to the people bro bo.Godbless

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  8. In lieu of excommunicating Luther and Galilei, they were excommunicated because of false belief and misguided teachings that they are promulgating within the church, yes sometimes bishops, clergy made mistakes because they are just like us human beings, but what they speak and do shows that they are also responsible in the moral and spiritual teaching and upbringing of every individual, they're also doing what they believe is right according to ideals and teachings of the church. Yes, its also true that we need to live in reality and be more practical, so why would the state will spend so much money coming from taxpayers like us just to buy these abortificient pills, condoms, etc instead of allocating budget for education, to provide more jobs in every city or town, improve healthcare facilities etc. I think the way that the goverment should do now is eliminate corruption in our country, because its the source of all poverty and to decentralize the ruling not just here in metro but specially those in the provinces...

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  9. Someone once said "It is never lawful, even for the gravest reasons, to do evil that good may come of it." We often hear people making us choose between using artificial contraception versus allowing children die of hunger. We must realize that these two are not mutually exclusive. It is this same kind of reasoning that is making us poor as a nation. It is like saying, it is better to be happy than rich, as if these two things cancel each other out. We know that our problems lie not in overpopulation, but in lack of understanding on how to better take care of our nation's best asset--our people. Everywhere you go, there are Filipinos. We are hired and desired for our skills, our amiability, our adaptability, to name a few.

    Artificial contraception won't solve our nation's problems. Blaming the government and waiting for them to take action is not the solution either. It's our mindset that we need to change--we must become part of the solution. If children are dying of hunger, then teach their parents how to take care of them. If you don't have time, give support to people who can. Those old clothes lying idle in your closet for years belong to charity. There are so many things we can do for our fellowmen.

    What happens when a condom fails? Would abortion be next? AIDS? People believe it's the solution but it will only aggravate the situation 5, 10, 15 years from now. There was a singer who was quoted that she doesn't mind promoting the use of contraception to others but personally does not want to use it herself. Why? Because the doctor said it can damage her vocal chords. If medication that's targeted for something "down there", i.e. the reproductive organ can do damage to what's "up there", i.e. your throat area, what else can it do to other parts of the body? Let's say these so-called "medications" are handed out to hundreds of thousands of Filipinos out there, most of whom are poor, what happens to them decades from now? These will be the same people who will not have access to better health care, because the only solution their government has to offer them is to limit the population, and not to take care of them.

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  10. While I appreciate that abstinence is a better alternative at least in the moral aspect but bear in mind that not all Filipinos are not as faithful catholic and significant percentage in the population are not even catholics. Again, the law is not only crafted for the catholics but to all pinoys, regardless of religious belief or moral backgrounds.

    Why do the prelates keep on misinforming the masses that the gov't is forcing the people to use artificial contraceptives?? In fact, the law clearly states that the people has the right to choose their method of family planning - whether it's natural or artificial.

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    1. Exactly! as if corrupting the minds of the masses.

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    2. The values/principles of temperance and taking responsibility as manifested by abstinence for certain periods is not for Catholics or Filipinos alone. These are universal values/principles.

      If the government is not forcing its will on the Filipino people or is respecting the religious freedom of Filipinos, then the government should not pass a law that forces Catholic taxpayers (who comprise majority of our population) who don't support the RH Bill to finance it. Why should the taxes that we pay be used for something that is against our faith, values and morals? Isn't that the use of force and a violation of our religious freedom? I don't use artificial contraceptives to plan my family now. Why should my hard-earned money or the hard-earned money of the Filipino people (in the form of taxes paid to the government) be used to purchase condoms and contraceptives when it could be spent on REAL medicines which many senior citizens can't afford or many poor parents cannot buy for their poor, sick children? Why should billions of taxpayers' money be spent on these things when we don't have enough schools, books and hospitals for the poor?

      Yes, everyone has the right to choose what form of family planning to practice. Those who want to use condoms and artificial contraceptives are free to do so if they want. BUT don't ask/force me to pay for the condoms or artificial contraceptives of those who want to sin and live promiscuous lives because I don't support those practices. Isn't that unfair/unjust?

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  11. 1) RH Bill is not about "population control", it is about providing equal opportunities and providing couples the right to an informed choice. No body is being controlled here, under the RH Bill, couple are given proper RH Education and they are free to choose whether or not, or whatever method they want. Catholics are not being forced to use contraceptives if they truly do not want to. If you think that artificial contraceptives are harmful, then good for you because you have had information to support that; But sadly other couples do not have that opportunity 2) You are correct the problem is not about Overpopulation (Population Density and Per Capita Income), because we are not overpopulated (in the general sense of the word), as you have stated here. The issue is about the capacity of the government to provide (resources/opportunities) for the entire population. Yes we do have a lot of space, so does the deserts of the middle east. But I haven't met people wanting to live in the desert. The government should do more to develop the provinces, not just the urban areas, I agree with you in this regard.

    The key is having a balance, slowing down the growth of the population while speeding up economic development. How can we progress if the rate of population growth is much higher than the rate of our economic growth?

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  12. This may be the first time that I would disagree with Bo Sanchez :( I think the point of RH bill is for parents and future parents to be responsible for their actions and giving them the choice to do so. Each and every child deserves to receive from their parents the right amount of love and attention and the most basic of human needs, such as a comfortable home, enough food and the proper education. What is the point of having children if you would leave them in the streets, making them fend for themselves? The worse thing that could happen is that when these children grow up, the same cycle will be repeated, making the problem exponential and so overwhelming what it would be impossible to deal with. You see, it is not about abortion, it is not about preventing a life to be born, it is about the improvement of the quality of life of the children in the next generation. We simply owe it to them and I don't think we have a right to deny them that.

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    1. We don't need the RH Bill to ensure a good future for our children. Responsible parenthood is not dependent on the number of kids that a couple have. A family can be big and still have well-cared for and well-provided children, showered with much love, attention and even things that can make their lives comfortable. It is a misconception that when the family is big, it automatically boils down to poverty in the family. That's a lie! Past generations of big families (including poor families) that produced responsible, good and successful individuals are proofs of this.

      Again, it is the parents' main responsibility to take care of their kids. They should not rely on the government alone.Each one of us should take responsibility for our actions and decisions. That is a sign of strong character. Passing the responsibility on others and to the state/government is not taking responsibility for our own actions and choices.

      And it is exactly because I want to contribute to a better future for the next generations (not only of Filipinos) that I choose to speak out and write my thoughts and stand on issues like this one. I'm a mom and I don't want my kidsto grow up haing a scarcity and contraceptive mentality. I want them to grow up as responsible men who will respect women and not treat them as objects for sexual pleasure. I want them to grow up taking responsibility for their choices and actions and not passing blame to others or the government for their misfortunes. Most of all, I want my boys and the youth of the future generation to know and believe that it's possible to live a full, happy, successful and rich life through hard work and the practice of Christian virtues and that they don't need to sin against God or violate His laws to fulfill their dreams and be achievers. I can say this to them with conviction because this was my experience. They only need to look at my life and that's my testimony, the proof of my God's faithfulness to me and my family.

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    2. I really admire you for what you have become and your ideals and I very well agree with you. The problem is a lot of people in our society are not as responsible as you maybe for being misguided, lack of education or lack of access to information that they can have a choice or maybe they were made to beleive that they will be damned if they will make a choice. It somehow appear that you are accusing our countrymen/women of being irresponsible because they are poor and have many children.
      Government was formed to facilitate welfare its citizen and the church is there to provide moral guidance to its members and this role should be absolute not muddled.

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    3. I'm not accussing anyone of irresponsibility. Let each individual answer with an informed conscience if he/she has been responsible with the choices and actions he/she made that led him/her to where he/she is right now. That's between each individual and his/her God.

      I agree that the government was made to facilitate the welfare or needs of the people but the people should not depend on the government alone. They should help themselves as well.

      As for the roles, I see no violation from the Church in speaking out on the issue of the RH Bill because that's part of Her role of giving moral guidance to the people, particularly Catholics.

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  13. Mam tesesa well said. It all boils down to value. Striking at the root,the heart of the problem.

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  14. So what happened to Galilei? Is it not that he was right and the church is wrong, that is why Pope John Paul II ask forgiveness for that. The church before believed that the world is flat and Galilei said no, it is round, then he was ex-communicated and put to prison.

    How about OSA priest Martin Luther. Is it not his ideas was used in Vatican II?

    Read Church history..

    The church is not perfect, far more not willing to adapt change. Later the church said...Oh...let's have to change, then second Vatican counsel was formed.

    Back to RH bill. Give concrete examples what to do with couples who's menstruation is irregular. Do you say oh, stop sex! or you can sex with your mouth or anus?

    What makes it artificial contraception evil? Is it because it is artificial and not natural? Look around us, what we are using and we are eating are not natural anymore. We have to adopt change. Are you eating organic food everyday? Are you drinking organic drinks? Are you not drinking soft-drinks which are artificial drinks?

    Artificial per se is not evil much more the artificial contraception. And artificial contraception IS NOT ABORTION...I don't think we need to go back to our biology class.





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    1. I know my Church history and I do not claim that the Church did not make mistakes in the past. Our Church is not perfect and we do not deny there were members of the clergy even popes who brought scandals to the Church. That's why the Church has also done what it needed to do in the previous years to amend for its mistakes before. I still believe however that our Church is not committing a mistake in making this stand now.

      To answer your question about what couples can do when the menstruation of the wife is irregular, let me share an article from Yahoo! She: 8 sex-free ways to be intimate with your spouse http://ph.she.yahoo.com/photos/8-ways-build-intimacy-spouse-slideshow/#crsl=%252Fphotos%252F8-ways-build-intimacy-spouse-slideshow%252F-photo-2566070-202600955.html

      And fyi, I'm not fond of softdrinks. I like juices more.

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  15. Vox populi, vox Dei. Voice of people, voice of God.

    Democracy wins, the RH bill has been passed. Please respect the majority, if the church can't do that then it has no difference between martial law.

    Msg from a Friend: C. Catayas

    For Both PRO and ANTI RH Bill.

    I wish that we will both fight to the very end, our respective stand on the issue. To the optimum limits of our being, may we be able to impart to all Filipinos, the more perfect remedy for our ailing nation. We will continue to profess the purity of our intentions, the soundness of our logic and highest respect to individuality and human life. We are all citizens
    who wish the best for our country and family based on our imperfect perception.. We can disagree without being disagreeable.

    If I am an anti-RH, I would not label the pro-RH as "evil" those who negate, nor "hero" those who, with my stand, validate.

    If am a Pro-RH, I would not call "hypocrite" those who disagrees, nor "intelligent" those who doesn't oppose.

    WE ARE SIMPLY MAKING A STAND. Let the rest do the same.

    And if I happen to be silent or neutral, please don't misconstrued it as apathy or indifference. Someone has to listen when the rest are so wanting to speak.

    I understand that the Church are fighting for the unborn and, the State, those already born. So, in our own right, we are both PRO-LIFE. I pray that may democracy roll, real democracy that's free from threat or coercion. And if sooner later we realized that we have travelled the wrong path, may we be humble enough to alter the course.



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    1. I agree with you that we should respect each other's stand. And I agree that we can agree to disagree. But I do not agree that the voice of the majority means that it is the voice of God. It was a majority decision in the Congress and Senate. It was also a majority decision that led to the crucifixion of Jesus. Was it God the Father's Will that Jesus suffer and be crucified? I don't think so. But He allowed it to happen to save humankind. It seemed that Jesus was defeated because He died on the cross but that was the paradox of the cross and of our faith. God allowed this to happen now but I believe that it is not His Will that the dignity of life and the human person be sacrificed in exchange for progress.

      Whatever happens from now on, I still believe that all things will work out for the good of those who love Him and who have been called to His purpose.

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  16. Very nice and truthful article! It's just so sad that the RH Bill is passed already. Anyhow, I still believe that good education is the key to destroy poverty. And the government really should also take responsibility, it's as if it is the sole responsibility of the citizens that they cannot provide for their children good education, shelter, etc.. Isn't it that the government also has a part in it? Instead of spending money on contraceptives, why don't they just put the budget on education and aim for good governance.

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