The Papua New government says it wants greater understanding of the link between population growth and sustainable development.
A school in West New Britain, Papua New Guinea Photo: AFP
The national planning and monitoring minister, Charles Abel, this week released the National Population Policy saying it will assist organisations carrying out family planning.
The National newspaper reports him saying that he is not trying to stop people having more children but making clear parents are able to meet education and health requirements.
But he says it will be used to guide population size, the impact on the economy and the country's ability to provide social services.
PNG's population has trebled since independence 40 years ago.
