Indian Subcontinent

The countries of the Indian subcontinent provide some of the world's most evident case studies of the deleterious effects of population pressure. They also have undertaken some of the world's most massive family planning programs. India was the first country to declare a national population policy and to mount a nationwide family planning program. Pakistan and present day Bangladesh had a prolonged period during which the national family planning program had a separate organization with extremely high priority and official support. Continuing famines and two major wars in 25 years have contributed to high mortality. Nonetheless, population growth in these countries continues its inexorable upward curve. On the other hand, these programs must also be credited with some real successes and the birth rates in several Indian states are falling.