The World Bank Group’s mission is to fight poverty and improve the living standards and quality of living for people worldwide.  Population and reproductive health-related issues are inextricably linked to poverty and quality of living in several ways. For example, high fertility rates means less income and food per capita; early childbearing means greater risk of death or disability for the young mother; and high rates of maternal mortality and morbidity means greater strain on the family to survive. The growth, age composition and spatial distribution of populations affect and are affected by progress in reducing poverty and improving living conditions at both the household and community levels.
In poor households, high mortality and morbidity, along with unwanted fertility, are among the major burdens of poverty. Reducing them contributes directly and indirectly to poverty reduction. For example: older female children in many poor families are often kept out of school to either get married or to care for their younger brothers and sisters. Developing policies to keep them in school and preventing pregnancy can help break the cycle of early and unplanned childbearing that deprives poor women of opportunities to better their lives.
Rapid population growth continues to undermine efforts to reduce poverty in Africa and Asia. It is caused by a variety of issues, such as lack of access to reproductive health services and lack of education to know about reproductive health services.
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Experience has shown that population issues are best addressed through broad, multi-sectoral approaches. This has been the overarching message of a series of international conferences, including International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) held in Cairo in 1994. The ICPD reached a consensus that population efforts seeking "control" have serious deficiencies. Attempts at control by officials over common people, and also, some think, by rich countries over poor countries – often lead to backlash. People-centered approaches are turning out to be more effective, sustainable, and grounded in human rights.
The ICPD program of action endorsed a reproductive health approach that addresses women’s and men’s reproductive health rights and needs throughout their lives. It recommends that health systems provide a comprehensive package of services, including family planning, safe pregnancy and delivery, as well as the prevention and treatment of reproductive-tract infections. It also recognizes the broader dimensions of reproductive health and the important linkages between reproductive health and rights and other development issues, particularly those related to gender inequality.
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