Family Planning / Contraception

Family planning allows people to attain their desired number of children and determine the spacing of pregnancies. It is achieved through use of contraceptive methods and the treatment of infertility.

Key Facts

• An estimated 225 million women in developing countries would like to delay or stop childbearing but are not using any method of contraception.
• Some family planning methods, such as condoms, help prevent the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
• Family planning / contraception reduces the need for abortion, especially unsafe abortion.
• Family planning reinforces people’s rights to determine the number and spacing of their children.
• By preventing unintended pregnancy, family planning /contraception prevents deaths of mothers and children.

Benefits of Family Planning / Contraception

Access to contraceptive information is central to achieving gender equality. 

When women and couples are empowered to plan whether and when to have children, women are better enabled to complete their education; women’s autonomy within their households is increased; and their earning power is improved. 

This strengthens their economic security and well-being and that of their families.

Preventing Pregnancy-Related Health Risks in Women

A woman’s ability to choose if and when to become pregnant has a direct impact on her health and well-being. 

Family planning allows spacing of pregnancies and can delay pregnancies in young women at increased risk of health problems and death from early childbearing.

It prevents unintended pregnancies, including those of older women who face increased risks related to pregnancy. 

Family planning enables women who wish to limit the size of their families to do so. Evidence suggests that women who have more than 4 children are at increased risk of maternal mortality.

By reducing rates of unintended pregnancies, family planning also reduces the need for unsafe abortion.

Reducing Infant Mortality

Family planning can prevent closely spaced and ill-timed pregnancies and births, which contribute to some of the world’s highest infant mortality rates. 

Infants of mothers who die as a result of giving birth also have a greater risk of death and poor health.

Helping to Prevent HIV/AIDS

Family planning reduces the risk of unintended pregnancies among women living with HIV, resulting in fewer infected babies. 

In addition, male and female condoms provide dual protection against unintended pregnancies and against STIs including HIV.

Empowering People and Enhancing Education

• Family planning enables people to make informed choices about their sexual and reproductive health. 
• Family planning represents an opportunity for women to pursue additional education and participate in public life, including paid employment in non-family organizations. 
• Additionally, having smaller families allows parents to invest more in each child. 
• Children with fewer siblings tend to stay in school longer than those with many siblings.

Reducing Adolescent Pregnancies

Pregnant adolescents are more likely to have preterm or low birth-weight babies. Babies born to adolescents have higher rates of neonatal mortality. 

Many adolescent girls who become pregnant have to leave school. This has long-term implications for them as individuals, their families and communities.

Slowing Population Growth

Family planning is key to slowing unsustainable population growth and the resulting negative impacts on the economy, environment, and national and regional development efforts.