FACT-CHECK: Will Having More Children Drive The Economy?

The debate on whether economic growth requires having more children is ongoing. One argument is that a larger population in the Maldives can increase consumer demand, create more jobs, and lead to innovation. However, the relationship between population growth and economic prosperity is complex, and evidence for this claim is only sometimes consistent.

Claim: Having more children will drive the economy.

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The Maldives, a small island nation in South Asia, faces unique economic challenges due to limited resources. While having more children may increase the size of the future workforce, it does not guarantee a corresponding increase in labour force participation. This is due to factors such as education, gender equality, and job availability.

Data from the 2022 Census found a significant gender disparity in employment, with men being 30.5% more likely to be employed than women within the working-age population (source). 

Likewise, almost half of the jobs (51%) exhibit a mismatch between skill levels and job requirements, either being overqualified (17%) or underqualified (69%) for their roles. 

The Maldives economy relies heavily on tourism, bringing its own challenges. For example, while only 35% (21105) of resort workers are Maldivian, women comprise only 11% of local resort workers. 

Regarding resources, the Maldives is vulnerable to environmental threats like sea-level rise and climate change, which are exacerbating our economic challenges. Hence, expanding protected areas and transitioning to a low-carbon, resource-efficient economy could bolster employment prospects in resource management and environmental services. 

However, achieving this necessitates a comprehensive approach, integrating population dynamics, economic diversification, environmental sustainability, and social welfare.

Without adequate investment in education and healthcare, population growth can lead to poverty, inequality, and social cohesion issues. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach considering population growth, economic diversification, environmental sustainability, and social welfare.

The Verdict: Partially True

While some believe population growth can stimulate economic development, it poses significant challenges for small island nations like the Maldives. Policymakers must balance population growth with sustainable development goals to ensure long-term prosperity and well-being for all citizens. Economic growth policies should consider the complex interplay between population dynamics, environmental factors, and socioeconomic conditions to achieve sustainable development goals.