Population OverloadPopulation OverloadA comparison of Benin and A comparison of Benin and

SwitzerlandSwitzerland

Switzerland 2010 Switzerland 2010 2050 2050

2010 Statistics2010 Statistics Population Density: 79 people/ kmPopulation Density: 79 people/ km22

Doubling time: 70/0.2 % growth rate =350yrsDoubling time: 70/0.2 % growth rate =350yrs Age Distribution: Age Distribution:

0-14 years: 15.6%0-14 years: 15.6% 15-64 years: 68.1% (15-64 years: 68.1% ( 65 years and over: 16.3% (65 years and over: 16.3% (

life expectancy – 81 yearslife expectancy – 81 years

2050 Statistics:2050 Statistics: Predicted Life expectancy = 84 years Predicted Life expectancy = 84 years Predicted Growth rate: -0.4 ( decreasing)Predicted Growth rate: -0.4 ( decreasing)

Switzerland – Switzerland – Highly DevelopedHighly Developed

The base of this pyramid is smaller than The base of this pyramid is smaller than the middle portion.the middle portion.

Parent generations are larger than Parent generations are larger than offspring.offspring.

This population is growing slowly now, This population is growing slowly now, but will be in decline by 2050.but will be in decline by 2050.

Life Expectancy of 81 years ranks Life Expectancy of 81 years ranks 1515thth out out of 224of 224 (high)(high)

Benin 2010 Benin 2010 20502050

2010 Statistics2010 Statistics Population Density: 60 people/Km Population Density: 60 people/Km 22

Doubling time: Doubling time: 70/2.9 % growth rate 70/2.9 % growth rate = 24yrs = 24yrs

Age Distribution : Age Distribution : 0-14 years: 45.2% 0-14 years: 45.2% 15-64 years: 52.1% 15-64 years: 52.1% 65 years and over: 2.6%65 years and over: 2.6%

Life Expectancy-59.4 yearsLife Expectancy-59.4 years

2050 Statistics:2050 Statistics: Predicted Life expectancy : 73yearsPredicted Life expectancy : 73years Predicted Growth rate : 1.5%Predicted Growth rate : 1.5%

Benin- Developing Nation Benin- Developing Nation What the numbers meanWhat the numbers mean

Based on this structure it is apparent that Benin is growing Based on this structure it is apparent that Benin is growing rapidly. rapidly.

The population of Benin will continue to grow into 2050, but 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 rate of growth will slower than in 2010 (2.9 vs.1.5)

The rounded edges of the pyramid show this slowing.The rounded edges of the pyramid show this slowing. Life expectancy (59.4 yrs) ranks 188/224 nations - very shortLife expectancy (59.4 yrs) ranks 188/224 nations - very short Life expectancy will likely increase by 2050 to 73 years. Life expectancy will likely increase by 2050 to 73 years.

The population pyramid is The population pyramid is much wider at the bottom than much wider at the bottom than the middle and top.the middle and top.

Parent generations are smaller Parent generations are smaller than offspring generations.than offspring generations.

Benin and Switzerland TodayA 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. ( 14th 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…What the future holds… By 2025, Switzerland’s population By 2025, Switzerland’s population

will will begin to decline. begin to decline.

Benin’s population will continue to Benin’s population will continue to rise, though at a slower rate of rise, though at a slower rate of increase. increase.

Projected population for Benin in Projected population for Benin in 2050 is2050 is 22 million – up from 9 million today. 22 million – up from 9 million today.

Increase will result from both a birth Increase will result from both a birth rate that will exceed the death rate rate that will exceed the death rate and also, longer life expectancy. and also, longer life expectancy.

Rapid increase will likely result in Rapid increase will likely result in difficulty planning for and building difficulty planning for and building infrastructure, schools, hospitals, etc. infrastructure, schools, hospitals, etc.

Too many people at the Too many people at the party.party.

Barriers to Progress Barriers to Progress The Beninese ChallengeThe Beninese Challenge

Communicable diseaseVERY HIGH. RISK:

food or waterborne diseases:

Vectorborne diseases

AIDS

Little to no Little to no Water Water purification/ purification/ sanitation. sanitation.

Barriers to Progress Barriers to Progress The Beninese ChallengeThe Beninese Challenge

Land DisputesLand Disputes in the North with in the North with Burkina Faso. Burkina Faso.

Sporadic Influx Sporadic Influx of Refugeesof Refugees from neighboring from neighboring nations, nations, (Thousands from (Thousands from Togo in 2005)Togo in 2005)

Technology for ChangeImmunization Program for Typhoid

Fever and Hepatitis A High Infant MortHigh Infant Mortalityality is is

largely due to largely due to Communicable diseases Communicable diseases including Hepatitis A and including Hepatitis A and Typhoid Fever, and Typhoid Fever, and meningiococcal meningitis.meningiococcal meningitis.

Poor sanitation affects Poor sanitation affects transmissiontransmission

Vaccines for these diseases Vaccines for these diseases are available, are available,

but not but not herehere……

Potential Consequences of Potential Consequences of Immunization ProgramImmunization Program

Poor health affects ability to earn and Poor health affects ability to earn and thus affects the economy. thus affects the economy.

People feel they need more children to People feel they need more children to

secure their future secure their future Increased Immunization should Increased Immunization should

Lower Infant MortalityLower Infant Mortality Increased life expectancy Increased life expectancy Increased earning potential and Increased earning potential and

positive outlookpositive outlook Reduction in povertyReduction in poverty Likely an increase in education and Likely an increase in education and

eventual reduction of populationeventual reduction of population

““good health—and, particularly, expectations good health—and, particularly, expectations about the good health of one's offspring—about the good health of one's offspring—

promotes the so-called demographic transition promotes the so-called demographic transition from large to small families that usually from large to small families that usually accompanies economic development.” accompanies economic development.”

Source: The Economic Benefits of Vaccination Programs in Poor Countries Source: The Economic Benefits of Vaccination Programs in Poor Countries http://economistsview.typepad.com/economistsview/2005/10/the_economic_be.htmlhttp://economistsview.typepad.com/economistsview/2005/10/the_economic_be.html

PLEASE HELP BENIN LEAD AFRICA INTO THE PLEASE HELP BENIN LEAD AFRICA INTO THE NEXT CENTURY BY FUNDING A TYPHOID NEXT CENTURY BY FUNDING A TYPHOID FEVER AND HEPATITIS A VACCINATION FEVER AND HEPATITIS A VACCINATION

PROGRAMPROGRAM

Works CitedWorks Cited "Country Summary." "Country Summary." US Census BureauUS Census Bureau. 11 Nov 2010 . 11 Nov 2010

<http://www.census.gov/ipc/www/idb/summaries.html>. <http://www.census.gov/ipc/www/idb/summaries.html>.

Krugman, Paul. "The Economic Benefits of Vaccination Krugman, Paul. "The Economic Benefits of Vaccination Programs in Poor Countries." Programs in Poor Countries." Economist ViewEconomist View. . 11 Nov 2010 11 Nov 2010 <http://economistsview.typepad.com/economistsview/2005<http://economistsview.typepad.com/economistsview/2005/10/the_economic_be.html>. /10/the_economic_be.html>.

Tiscali.ReferenceTiscali.Reference. 11 Nov 2010 . 11 Nov 2010 <http://media.tiscali.co.uk/images/ch/reference/encyclopaedia/co<http://media.tiscali.co.uk/images/ch/reference/encyclopaedia/countryfacts/maps/large/00002527.gif>. untryfacts/maps/large/00002527.gif>.