Asia region population projections : 1990-91 edition

Almost half the worlds population lives in Asia. This proportion is expected to decline to 40 percent by the end of the next century, mainly because of slowing growth in China. Other countries will continue to grow rapidly, and India, which adds more people every year than any other country, is project to surpass China in total population. Recent contraceptive prevalence surveys in several countries in the region show increasing proportions of couples using birth control. Fertility in these countries, mostly in Southeast Asia, has consequently declined rapidly. Population growth rates started to drop in many countries in the region in the past decade, but the momentum built in to the age structures of the populations will ensure continued population growth for many decades. Other countries in the region are lagging in fertility decline, and their populations will continue to grow at high rates. Infant and child mortality are the lowest in countries where fertility has declined.