By Bilkis Abdulraheem Lawal
Family planning saves lives, boosts women’s economic power, and strengthens national economies, but experts warn that global funding cuts could reverse years of progress, especially in countries like Nigeria.
The Guttmacher Institute issued this warning as it unveiled two major studies — Adding It Up and FP-Impact — at the International Conference on Family Planning (ICFP) in Bogotá, Colombia. The studies, described as the most comprehensive of their kind, show that investing in reproductive health delivers both immediate and long-term economic benefits.
According to Adding It Up, 928 million women in developing countries want to avoid pregnancy, yet 214 million still lack access to modern contraceptive methods. Of these, 78 million say they are willing or open to using contraception, highlighting a key opportunity for investment.
The report estimates that $104 billion per year is required to meet all sexual and reproductive health needs in low- and middle-income countries, roughly $15.56 per person annually. Every $1 spent on family planning saves $2.48 in maternal, newborn, and abortion care costs.
“At a time when global funding is shrinking, our research shows that family planning gives double returns, improving women’s health and reducing healthcare costs,” said Elizabeth Sully, Director of International Research at the Guttmacher Institute.
The FP-Impact study further revealed that family planning fuels women’s financial independence. In Nigeria and Kenya, contraceptive use led to a 10–12 percent increase in paid work the following year and a 15 percent increase in women’s control over their earnings.
“With FP-Impact, we now have scientific proof of what women have long known, that family planning transforms lives and economies,” said Dr. Onikepe Owolabi, Vice President for International Research at the Guttmacher Institute.
Nigeria, where only about 19 percent of women use modern contraception, continues to rely heavily on donor funding for reproductive health services. With aid cuts threatening supply chains, experts say stronger domestic financing and political commitment are urgently needed to prevent setbacks in maternal health.
“Investing in family planning is not just a health decision; it’s an economic strategy,” Dr. Owolabi said. “Countries like Nigeria have much to gain by making it a national priority.”
The Guttmacher Institute stressed that sustained investment in family planning remains one of the most effective ways to promote women’s empowerment, strengthen economies, and ensure a healthier future for all.
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