Unequal global distribution of family planning education and facilities
Disinterest in family planning
Ineffective birth control
Ineffective use of contraceptives
Ineffective population control
In the developing world less than 20% of reproductive-age couples, on average, use contraceptives, compared with approximately 70% in the developed world. Yet half of the currently married fecund women in 15 countries stated that they wanted no more children; and in seven of eight countries where data were available, more than 25% of married women with at least one child, or currently pregnant, stated that their last pregnancy was unwanted. In 1983, 62 governments out of a total of 168 felt that the current level of fertility in their country was too high; however, only 74% of these countries implemented policies to decrease the level of fertility. Although Asian countries lead the way in instigating population programmes, other continents are gradually increasing their commitment to family planning. UNFPA response to increasing interest by African countries, in particular, has resulted in significantly increased annual expenditure in Africa over the last four years.
Family planning programmes may not adequately consider the following: the urge to procreate; the curse of sterility; the couples who are happy as they are but feel coerced into using unneeded contraceptives; the values imposed upon Third World countries by the Western world; and the methods of regulation already used in a community.