Population politics in Mali facing population growth: issues and perspectives

Abstract

African countries in general, and sub-Saharan Africa in particular, have seen their populations increase in recent decades. Mali is not exempt from this reality. Its population is young. Those under 18 years old represent more than half (53.6%), with an evolution rapid (14,528,662 habitants in 2009 compared to 22,395,489 habitants in 2022). This puts pressure on socio-economic sectors and makes it difficult to achieve population policy objectives. This situation is now a major concern for the authorities. The objective of this study is to analyze the issues related to population growth in order to document improving perspectives for the implemented policy. To carry out this study, we have made a lot of research of documents review, supplemented by interviews with key informants. The results show that the factors driving Mali's demographic evolution include: high fertility (6.1 children for a woman), low mortality and education rates for girls, leading to increased unwanted pregnancies, early marriage, and other issues. This trend puts pressure on employment, healthcare infrastructure, education, and other sectors. Faced with the evident imbalance between population growth and available resources, the majority of Malians live in more or less unsatisfactory conditions. It is necessary that the Malian state use its young population as a force for innovation.