The Population Research Institute (PRI) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization based in Front Royal, Virginia, US.^[1] The organization opposes abortion. They believe that overpopulation is a myth, and oppose hormonal birth control in females^[2] and vasectomies in males.^[3] In addition, the organization issues opinion pieces questioning the veracity of human driven climate change^[4] and the natural origin of COVID-19.^[5]

Background

The Population Research Institute was founded in 1989 by Paul Marx (1920–2010), a family sociologist, Catholic priest and Benedictine monk who had established the anti-abortion^[6] group Human Life International as well. It became an independent institute in 1996.^[7] The same year, the think tank got headed by Steven W. Mosher,^[7][8] a social researcher and author who had witnessed forced abortions in China during the implementation of the one-child policy in 1980.^[7]

Activities

PRI opposes government attempts to control the population.^[9] According to the Los Angeles Times, PRI's Mosher successfully helped lobby the George W. Bush administration to withhold US$34 to $40 million per year for seven years from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the largest international donor to family planning programs.^[10] The research institute opined that UNPFA was using American money to fund Chinese compulsory sterilization and abortions, a claim denied by the population fund, noting that it does not work in areas where the one-child policy in still in force.^[6] Mosher also advocated against the Chinese two-child policy, claiming that it was "being pushed to the masses through the communist party mechanism".^[11]

Fundraising

PRI obtains the vast majority of its funding from charitable contributions, gifts, and grants, with a total revenue of 1.46 million dollars in financial year 2018. Of this, 75.6% was spent on program expenses, 4.9% on administration, and 19.3% on fundraising.^[1]

The institute has received funding from The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, Inc., claimed to be in support of conferences on human rights in China.^[12]

Criticism

PRI's stance on overpopulation and the arguments for "Overpopulation is a Myth" have been described as deceptive.^[13][14]

Charity Navigator classifies charities with respect to "Accountability & Transparency" and "Financial Performance". In 2020 it awarded two out of four stars to PRI for "Accountability & Transparency", and one for "Financial", which combined for an overall score of 70.46, rated as two stars.^[1]