The demographic changes did not stop there. The fertility rate has also come down faster than expected. Three decades ago, the fertility rate was seven children per woman. It has now decreased to only three children, according to the statistics of the Health Ministry and the statistics bureau. This has, in turn, reduced the population growth rate in Saudi Arabia, which was more than three percent in the past, to less than 2.2 percent now. These changes have come from delayed marriages due to higher studies and the use of contraceptives.

The demographic surveys, however, say the use of contraceptives does not exceed 30 percent among married Saudi women.

This situation is peculiar. How could this change in birth rate take place without an extensive use of contraceptives? It is not believable that fertility decreased to this level while the use of contraceptives does not exceed 30 percent. The explanation is simple: In countries where birth rates reached three children or less, the use of contraceptives was over 30 percent. For instance, in Egypt, it reached 58 percent, in Iran 56 percent, while 49 percent in India and 43 percent in Turkey and Syria. Maybe the use of contraceptives in Saudi Arabia is higher than what the statistics tell us.

In all cases, if the demand for contraceptives is high, as indicated by the drop in birth rate, there should be an awareness campaign about the features and specifications of contraceptives to avoid their misuse to prevent undesirable pregnancies. Some readers may question the need for this, given that the birth rate has already dropped. My answer is that birth rates are still high in the poorer sections of society and among uneducated women. This may adversely affect the health of the mother and child, and reduce education opportunities for the young.

I will conclude by quoting Sheikh Ayedh Al-Qarni who said in an article on the Internet: “A large population, with quality, is considered virtuous by some nations, but it is unwise to have too many people who are useless and unproductive. Islam asks us to have good children, but if too many people are a social burden, then this is wrong.”