Kathmandu, July 11 : Minister for Health and Population Bhanubhakta Dhakal has said government prioritizes the management of population for country's development. Giving a message on the occasion of the 25th World Population Day today, Minister Dhakal claimed that Nepal has made progress in control of population growth, improvement in reproductive health, discouragement and decline in child marriage, and promotion to safe motherhood.    
    
Population is the major base of development and pillar of country's progress, he said, adding that government has given proper attention to the policy, plan and programmes on the multidimensional aspects of population and development. He however said, "Certain indicators on balanced distribution and effective management of population need improvement. Government's attention has been drawn towards developing well managed settlements by building necessary infrastructures in order to end the migration."    
    
According to the Minister, if the State ensures health, education, equality and employment to the women, having more than fifty percent of the total population in the country, it would help in sustainable development.    
    
Nepal has recently recorded the total population at 30 million. Among the total, 21.4 percent is urban population. The life expectancy is 71.74 in Nepal while 23.4 infants die in every 1,000.    
    
The World Population Day is marked every year since 1989.