Conversely, high population growth contrib
-
utes to poverty. High fertility rates affect the
health of mothers and families, increasing
the risk of maternal, infant and child mortal
-
ity, all of which combine to entrench poverty.
At a societal level, rapid population growth
increases the number of people in need of
health care, education and livelihoods. This
in turn requires more financial, material and
natural resources. With the exception of a
few oil-rich states, no country has risen from
poverty in recent times whilst still maintaining
high levels of fertility.
http://www.populationmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/D15Poverty.pdf