family planning

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Deliberate control of human population growth by various means (contraceptives, sterilization, and abortion), in order to reduce the birth rate. The majority of developing nations now have governments that support some sort of family planning programme.

Since the early 1950s India has taken the lead among developing nations to control its population growth, with government-sponsored programmes. However, in April 2001, it became the second country after China to have a population of over 1 billion. In China, there is a one-child policy, and couples lose large financial benefits if they have a second child.

The average number of pregnancies per woman is two in the industrialized countries, where 71% use birth control, compared with six or seven pregnancies per woman in the developing world.

Red stands for strength. White symbolizes faithfulness. Green represents hope. Effective date: 1 October 1957. >>