Rio, December 3, 2002 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Investments in health and education are fundamental in the campaign against poverty in developing countries, according to a report that the United Nations (UN) is issuing today in this capital and also in New York (USA), on the situation of the world's population. The document shows the existence of a population effect on economic growth, with, among other aspects, an association between the decline in fertility registered in some countries, Brazil among them, and more rapid economic growth.

In the Brazilian case the decline in fertility produced a 0.7% annual increase in the per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The data used in the study demonstrate that Brazil has a current birth rate of 2.15 children per woman, whereas the Latin American average is 2.5 children per woman.

The UN believes that countries that reduce their birth rates are able to expand their productivity, savings, and productive investments. (DAS)