Are there projects and programs in place to address the issue of population growth?
JM: The Bank is addressing the issue of data collection and statistical strengthening. It is doing research on population and gender issues and analytical work in several regions as well as for the world at large. Some strategic documents and analytical reports, such as Country Assistance Strategies and Country Economic Memorandums are also informed by demographic considerations. However, much more work is needed. The Bank has also prepared recently a Multi-sector demographic project in Niger, which has the highest fertility in the world with 7.1 children per woman. The Government of Niger has created a new Ministry of Population and has requested the help of the International Development Association. The major challenges are to build capacity, to make the right advocacy and sensitization campaigns and to implement effective interventions to trigger a decline in fertility. The task ahead is huge and difficult, however some concrete results have already been obtained such as the draftin
