This factsheet was developed by USAID Health Policy Initiative.

HERE’S HOW THE AUTHORS DESCRIBE THIS FACTSHEET:

Poor reproductive health is both a cause and consequence of poverty. Investments in reproductive health – including that of young people – can help 1) families to lead healthier, more productive lives, and 2) governments to realize savings in reduced demand for public services by slowing population growth, known as the demographic dividend. Governments can take advantage of the smaller ratio of dependents to productive individuals by investing in appropriate and relevant programs to build human capacity and encourage economic growth. Such investments are particularly important in light of the unprecedented numbers of young people now entering their reproductive years. Investing in the human and social capital of these young people is crucial to ending the cycle of poverty.