Bill Clinton: Large population a factor in economic growth

November 15, 2010

Speaking in the Philippines on November 10, former US President Bill Clinton said that the nation is poised for economic growth, in part because of its large population.

“You have a huge population which is a positive, and you have massive natural resources,” he said. “So I have the feeling that you’re at the dawn of a whole new age of your history and the fact it took you longer than Singapore shouldn’t surprise you because [it is] a smaller country. The fact that it might take you a little longer to get in high gear than China shouldn’t surprise you because they’re a much more authoritarian country.”

Clinton’s remarks were praised by opponents of the controversial reproductive health legislation that would provide for widespread distribution of contraceptives, including abortifacients such as the IUD.

“Obviously, Clinton can see and understand what pro-contraceptives people refuse to see-- that our people, our children and our babies, present and future, are assets and not liabilities,” said Rep. Roilo Golez.

The former president made his remarks a year after his wife, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, touted a pro-choice vision of development while visiting the nation.

 

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Further information:

• Clinton: More babies a boon to Filipinos (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
• Clinton lauds PH lead in geothermal power (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
• Clinton spreads pro-choice message in Catholic Philippines (CWN, 11/12/09)