The Kingdom continues to experience an annual population growth of four percent which is among the highest in the world. This is alarming and, if not properly addressed, could lead to an uncontrollable population explosion with all the unpleasant repercussions. The country’s development drive could be jeopardized and the result would be an increase in poverty. The large number of births means more services are required and if resources are stretched beyond a certain limit, there might be an end to all future economic and social projects. In addition, a further extra burden would be put on existing public services, including schools, hospitals, housing, transport and communications — and of course employment. In short, a rising population could destroy everything the country has built over the years.
This is no exaggeration. There is a limit to everything and when that limit is passed, undesired results are to be expected. Despite the fact that everyone in the country is fully aware of the problem and what it can lead to, the situation remains unchanged. It is true that services are being expanded but expansion is soon absorbed by the increasing population. This is the case because the pace at which development projects are being implemented is too slow to keep up with the population growth. Projects take longer to become reality by which time the increase in population has been too fast and too great for the gap to be bridged. Given its potentials and resources, the state may not be able to win this race, no matter how much effort it puts into it or what measures it adopts to correct the imbalance.
The solution lies in educating the public about both the imminent and future dangers which are a corollary of this population growth. We need to launch sustained awareness campaigns involving the media and other outlets in order to urge families to commit themselves to having two or three children at the maximum. There is no use having a population in the millions if we are unable to provide a good life for it.
The magnitude of the problem is evident from a recent report by the Ministry of Planning. The report projected that the Kingdom’s population would reach 30 million by the end of the seventh annual development plan in the year 2020. This means the population will double in under 20 years, triggering a problem whose proportions cannot be imagined. Yet, we continue to refuse to apply reason or to adopt rational measures to control our exploding population growth. We refuse to listen to the teachings of our religion which tells us not to use our own hands to contribute to our destruction. It is time to ring all the alarm bells and some one must be the first to do so — perhaps the Shoura Council, the Supreme Economic Council, the regional councils or the wise men in the country. We must aim at having small families in order to guarantee a good life for future generations.
