Population Overload A comparison of Benin and Switzerland

Switzerland 2010  Statistics Population Density: 79 people/ km 2 Doubling time: 70/0.2 % growth rate =350yrs Age Distribution: 0-14 years: 15.6% years: 68.1% ( 65 years and over: 16.3% ( life expectancy – 81 years 2050 Statistics: Predicted Life expectancy = 84 years Predicted Growth rate: -0.4 ( decreasing)

Switzerland – Highly Developed The base of this pyramid is smaller than the middle portion. The base of this pyramid is smaller than the middle portion. Parent generations are larger than offspring. Parent generations are larger than offspring. This population is growing slowly now, but will be in decline by This population is growing slowly now, but will be in decline by Life Expectancy of 81 years ranks 15 th out of 224 (high) Life Expectancy of 81 years ranks 15 th out of 224 (high)

Benin 2010  Statistics Population Density: 60 people/Km 2 Doubling time: 70/2.9 % growth rate = 24yrs Age Distribution : 0-14 years: 45.2% years: 52.1% 65 years and over: 2.6% Life Expectancy-59.4 years 2050 Statistics: Predicted Life expectancy : 73years Predicted Growth rate : 1.5%

Benin- Developing Nation What the numbers mean Based on this structure it is apparent that Benin is growing rapidly. The population of Benin will continue to grow into 2050, but the rate of growth will slower than in 2010 (2.9 vs.1.5) The rounded edges of the pyramid show this slowing. Life expectancy (59.4 yrs) ranks 188/224 nations - very short Life expectancy will likely increase by 2050 to 73 years. The population pyramid is much wider at the bottom than the middle and top. Parent generations are smaller than offspring generations.

Benin and Switzerland Today A Stark Contrast The population of Switzerland is growing very slowly, while Benin’s is growing rapidly. The median age of Switzerland is 41 years vs. 18 years in Benin. With half of the population below reproductive age, Benin is set up for a period of rapid growth. Only 4/1000 children die before the age of 5 is Switzerland, contrasted with 63/1000 in Benin. Lack of medical services contribute to this. The Total fertility rate in Switzerland is 1.4 children born per woman, while women in Benin bear an average of 5.4 children. ( 14 th position worldwide). Most Swiss live in Cities (70%) while more than half of those living in Benin live in rural areas on small farms. Literacy rates are high in Switzerland (near 100%). Only 35 % of Beninese are literate and there is a gender imbalanec (48% of males and 23% of females).

What the future holds… By 2025, Switzerland’s population will begin to decline. By 2025, Switzerland’s population will begin to decline. Benin’s population will continue to rise, though at a slower rate of increase. Benin’s population will continue to rise, though at a slower rate of increase. Projected population for Benin in 2050 is 22 million – up from 9 million today. Projected population for Benin in 2050 is 22 million – up from 9 million today. Increase will result from both a birth rate that will exceed the death rate and also, longer life expectancy. Increase will result from both a birth rate that will exceed the death rate and also, longer life expectancy. Rapid increase will likely result in difficulty planning for and building infrastructure, schools, hospitals, etc. Rapid increase will likely result in difficulty planning for and building infrastructure, schools, hospitals, etc. Too many people at the party. Too many people at the party.

Barriers to Progress The Beninese Challenge Communicable disease VERY HIGH. RISK: food or waterborne diseases: Vectorborne diseases AIDS Little to no Water purification/ sanitation. Little to no Water purification/ sanitation.

Barriers to Progress The Beninese Challenge Land Disputes in the North with Burkina Faso. Land Disputes in the North with Burkina Faso. Sporadic Influx of Refugees from neighboring nations, (Thousands from Togo in 2005) Sporadic Influx of Refugees from neighboring nations, (Thousands from Togo in 2005)

Technology for Change Immunization Program for Typhoid Fever and Hepatitis A High Infant Mortality is largely due to Communicable diseases including Hepatitis A and Typhoid Fever, and meningiococcal meningitis. High Infant Mortality is largely due to Communicable diseases including Hepatitis A and Typhoid Fever, and meningiococcal meningitis. Poor sanitation affects transmission Poor sanitation affects transmission Vaccines for these diseases are available, Vaccines for these diseases are available, but not here… but not here…

Potential Consequences of Immunization Program Poor health affects ability to earn and thus affects the economy. People feel they need more children to secure their future People feel they need more children to secure their future Increased Immunization should  Lower Infant Mortality Increased Immunization should  Lower Infant Mortality Increased life expectancy Increased life expectancy Increased earning potential and positive outlook Increased earning potential and positive outlook Reduction in poverty Reduction in poverty Likely an increase in education and eventual reduction of population Likely an increase in education and eventual reduction of population

“good health—and, particularly, expectations about the good health of one's offspring—promotes the so-called demographic transition from large to small families that usually accompanies economic development.” Source: The Economic Benefits of Vaccination Programs in Poor Countries “good health—and, particularly, expectations about the good health of one's offspring—promotes the so-called demographic transition from large to small families that usually accompanies economic development.” Source: The Economic Benefits of Vaccination Programs in Poor Countries PLEASE HELP BENIN LEAD AFRICA INTO THE NEXT CENTURY BY FUNDING A TYPHOID FEVER AND HEPATITIS A VACCINATION PROGRAM

Works Cited "Country Summary." US Census Bureau. 11 Nov "Country Summary." US Census Bureau. 11 Nov Krugman, Paul. "The Economic Benefits of Vaccination Programs in Poor Countries." Economist View. 11 Nov Krugman, Paul. "The Economic Benefits of Vaccination Programs in Poor Countries." Economist View. 11 Nov Tiscali.Reference. 11 Nov Tiscali.Reference. 11 Nov 2010.