Kampala — The global theme for World Population Day 2010, adapted for the Ugandan context, is 'Plan for a Quality Population because Everyone Counts'. This is an apt reflection when more than 61% of the population is under the age of 20.

Because of the population structure, the numbers of youth reaching employment age will increase dramatically during the next decade and beyond. Yearly 400,000 youth will be looking for a job before they think of a lasting relationship.

The world has been observing World Population Day for 21 years. World leaders decided to mark July 11 as a special day in 1989 after the world population reached five billion in 1987. It is now 6.85 billion.

In Uganda, the UNFPA and the Population Secretariat have been in partnership since 1988, working together with the Government and civil society so that everyone born into the world has a dignified place in the world and advancing the right of individuals to determine freely and responsibly the number and timing of their children.

For this to happen, the needs of the population have to be planned and managed from the household and national levels, using robust data.

Uganda's population has grown fast, rising at a rate of 3.2% yearly from 24.2 million in 2002 to an estimated of 30.7 million people today.

Behind the numbers are the people who count - 56% of which are under the age of 18 and some 400,000 youth enter the labour force every year; a sizeable potential resource for the country.

To capitalise on the potential "youth bulge" or demographic bonus, action must be taken now. Otherwise, the possible consequences of non-action should also be considered.

The country is determined to reach middle-income status in the next generation. Family planning and reproductive health services are part of a package of measures that will help sustain the country's ascent to middle-income status.

Family planning is overwhelmingly an investment in the quality and health of people. As people become healthier, they become wealthier. The data shows a clear link between investing in health and family planning and reaching middle-income status. This can be attained sooner rather than later, with a population that is stabilised and able to sustain itself.

But action has to be now. Uganda's population will be large - that's certain. So, the emphasis now is for the country to harness the opportunity it has through its youthful population, so that they become a resource for the country to invest in and to capitalise on. Young people - men and women - should be delighted at the prospect.

Yet, young women aged 15-24 account for 44% of maternal mortality in Uganda. So, for quality life for all and to capitalise on the economic potential of a large youthful working age population, fertility rates have to come down alongside mortality rates. If this does not happen, then the effect and the net economic benefit to the nation, will be compromised. Youth have to be sure of finding work.

Uganda has a strong and impressive record on data collection and analysis through censuses, demographic health surveys, household surveys and the like. Indeed, it is one of the few countries that managed its last census almost single-handedly. It will do the same in 2012.

So far though, national data has been gathered but analysed mostly in the capital. However, now districts are becoming not only providers of raw data, they are increasingly analysing and using data in decision making, planning and budgeting.

The integration of population related variables, including family planning, into district development plans and budgets will mean more people-centered development and effective use of funds at the local government level.

About 15% of Uganda's population is now in urban areas. Though this may still be low, the rate of urban growth is remarkably high; growing at 5.7% yearly. By 2035, when the population may reach 68.4 million, 30% will be in urban areas. This has serious implications in terms of demand for land, housing, water, health, education, jobs and other urban services.

Uganda has experienced a high increase in the population size and the physical development of some of its urban centres. Yet in some cases, this has manifested itself as urban sprawl, which is growth through scattered developments, followed by a gradual filling in of space in the absence of a longer term plan. This contrasts with urban development, which is planned urban growth either in the form of new towns or by planned and regulated extension of an existing city, including improvements of infrastructure and delivery of urban services. Only with up-to-date data can this happen.

Evidence shows that urbanisation has a direct impact on fertility reduction. This can be supported by the fact that women in urban areas have one less child than those in rural areas in Uganda. Furthermore, modern family planning uptake is higher for women in urban areas than for those in rural areas. There is, therefore, an urgent need for advocates of a quality population to invest in planned urbanisation.

Work undertaken at Makerere University has shown that for every sh2,000 (1$) invested in family planning, there can be a return of sh6,000 ($3). If family planning (FP), therefore, were a private company on the stock market, would people not be rushing to buy shares in this? If FP were a bank, wouldn't people entrust their savings there? FP then is a sound investment for people - getting more back on their money and getting the highest rate for their investment. This is good news for the Ministry of Finance.

Put this also in everyday language for people like you and me - if, when we go out shopping for the home and family, FP were a product being sold on a "buy 1 get 3 free" basis, would you not want to buy one? So why then is there not a clamber to the counter for the bargain?

Data has shown that investing in family planning is an investment in prevention. This is less costly than cure. Investing in FP would bring a net saving of $112m (about sh224b) over what would otherwise be spent on costs associated with unplanned pregnancies and births - especially death or disability. Imagine what the country could do with $112m - equivalent almost to 30% of this year's health budget. This would make parliamentarians delighted.

The combined cost of buying enough contraceptives and RH supplies is by far less than addressing the consequences of unplanned pregnancy and its impact on household and social systems. FP can save up to 35% of maternal deaths in Uganda and bring down by 85% unplanned births and induced abortions.

Educating girls is a strong factor in helping to reduce teenage pregnancy and associated high mortality and fertility, and providing opportunities for economic empowerment for girls. Sector ministries should be delighted.

Family Planning is an investment in the people's needs and the needs of the population. It's a win-win situation - 41% of women want to practise but cannot access family planning methods to enable them to delay or space the next birth.

Meeting half of the unmet need for family planning alone would result in reducing half a million unintended pregnancies each year. This is liberating. Ordinary people like you and me should be delighted.

Finally, research has shown that investing in family planning saves lives and increases earning potential by averting maternal death and disability. Couples can plan their families and mothers can recuperate after childbirth, thus reducing maternal and infant mortality and morbidity, which are costly to the health system as well as to the household.

The data shows that potential earnings of equivalent to at least sh120b or 0.4% of GDP could be added yearly.

Family planning gives women especially a chance to realise their educational and career aspirations and potential. Women can become economically and not only biologically active and productive. This would be a good deal for women's empowerment and gender equality. Women and men should surely be delighted.

Uganda's people count. The country is at the cross-roads of deciding on larger investments in reproductive health and family planning. The conditions are there to make it work and make it a success for all. The potential economic benefit is immense.

On World Population Day 2010, the Population Secretariat and UNFPA renew their commitment to advancing the right of individuals to determine freely and responsibly the number and timing of their children, so that the country enjoys a quality population, where "Everyone Counts".

Zirarema is acting Director for the Population Secretariat and Janet Jackson is Uganda's Representative for the United Nations Population Fund