It is estimated that by 2050 the population of Africa is said to be twice as big as it was in 2008, which could lead to more conflict over limited resources and greater strains on infrastructure.
So Ethiopia has seen a massive cut in its fertility rate, from an average of seven children per woman in the 1990s to 4.6 currently, but how has it managed this?
Experts say the country has made this turnaround because of a combination of factors.
Economy
Ethiopia’s economy is among the fastest growing in the world, and as the quality of life improves, people tend to have fewer children. Women are staying in school for a lot longer, the standard of living in the country is increasing, and most significantly, family planning is becoming a lot more popular.
Pressure on limited resources is easing, as the population continues to slow, which the Ethiopians see as a good thing, as they will see a heavy decrease in poverty.
Contraception
There has also been a big leap in contraception use between 2000 and 2011, and this is largely attributed to health extension workers who visit the city and its rural areas teaching women about family planning. This was also helped by an increase in the number of girls going to school over the same period.
Safer Births
Giving birth in many African countries also has major risks, many women die in childbirth and early marriage, female genital mutilation, and underdeveloped healthcare infrastructure contribute to the dangers women face when giving birth.
Education
More educated women and a higher cost of living often mean fertility rates are lower in urban areas. People just can’t afford to have as many children, although some may think they never could afford to in the first place.
Photos by: DFID.