A note on economic pronatalism with special reference to the USSR.

Questions the acceptance by many demographers of the existence of a severe manpower shortage in the Soviet Union which has been used to justify a pronatalist policy there. The author suggests that a shortage may exist in some sectors but does not believe that a major increase in population will solve this over the long term. Better management of existing resources is offered as an alternative and realistic solution especially in light of Soviet demographers views regarding world population and 3rd world development. The possibility that Soviet demographers may fear population increases among some ethnic groups while others do not keep up with this growth is also raised. The need for imaginative and intelligent review of reported demographic data is noted.