Rapid Population Growth

Rapid population growth causes

The three leading causes of population growth are births, deaths, and migration. Births and deaths are seen as natural causes of population change. The difference between a country's birth and death rates is known as the natural increase, and by subtracting the death rate from the birth rate, you can calculate the natural increase. When the death rate is higher than the birth rate, there is a natural decrease in population. When the birth rate is higher than the death rate, there is a natural increase in population. The rate of natural increase is given as a percentage, calculated by dividing the natural increase by 10. However, migration can change the balance between the birth rate and death rate as people can immigrate and enter the country and emigrate and leave the country.

The rate of change between births and deaths can result in rapid population growth. From 1750 to 1900, the death rate dropped rapidly as agricultural developments created more food supplies meaning less malnutrition and starvation; medical breakthroughs such as vaccines and improvements in healthcare led to fewer deaths; and public infrastructures such as sewers and water supplies helped with hygiene and reduced casualties.

Fig. 2 - world map showing countries by fertility rate of 2021

Rapid population growth in LEDCs

Currently, most less-economically developed countries (LEDCs) in stage 2 or 3 of the demographic transitional model are experiencing rapid population growth. They have falling death rates because of health care improvement and high birth rates.

There are multiple reasons for LEDCs having high birth rates. Children are considered sources of labour or carers for the elderly or young of the family. High infant mortality rates mean that mothers have many children to ensure that some survive to adulthood. It can be traditionally and culturally significant to have a large family, and there could be some difficulty in accessing family planning services with education about contraception.

How to control rapid population growth

Controlling the population, in general, can be controversial as it touches upon controlling the three leading causes of rapid population growth: birth rates, death rates, and migration. There have been restrictive policies that restrain couples from having more than one child, such as the one-child policy in China. However, instead of controlling rapid population growth through the oppression of rights, there may be ways of providing people with an opportunity to learn how individually they can control their reproductive rights, which could lead to less rapid population growth.

Impact of rapid population growth on socio economic development

There are positive and negative impacts of rapid population growth on socioeconomic development. The impacts can be seen prominently in LEDCs where rapid population growth occurs.

There is increased employment which leads to higher wages and standards of living. This contributes to the country's economic growth, and the government can invest money into developing the country by improving services, education, and infrastructure. However, there are not always enough jobs to meet the growing demand, so people work longer hours in worse conditions with lower pay. There can be a lack of housing, schools, and infrastructure such as water and electricity, as areas struggle to keep up with the growing population. This can cause poor living conditions and poor health conditions.

Consequences of rapid population growth on environment

As the population continues to grow rapidly, there are mounting pressures on resources as there is an increase in demands, needs, and services. The destruction of the environment and pollution are the biggest consequences of rapid population growth.

Pollution and waste

The amount of waste grows with the growing population takes up space and pollutes the environment. Industrial growth and greenhouse gas release contribute to global warming. They can also produce smoke and dust particles and give off toxic chemical fumes, reducing air quality. Water quality can become degraded from the waste people and factories produce that is dumped in the water sources. In addition, it can become polluted from the runoff of chemical fertiliser and insecticides from agriculture.

Over-extraction

The extraction of resources from the environment, such as fossil fuels, timber, and water, is increasing. Overfishing can break down the ecosystems in the rivers and seas, and intensive farming can leave the land without nutrients. Water supplies in certain areas are being used so much that they have begun to dry out. This not only affects the people but can also affect the ecosystem that relies on water, such as the marine life living in the water and the animals that live around the water supply. Mining fossil fuels damage the land, and it can generate water and air pollution, which can affect the local communities. Timber extraction leads to deforestation, resulting in desertification, soil erosion, and flooding. Deforestation means less carbon dioxide is being absorbed and an increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Overpopulated spaces

The spreading of urban spaces can destroy the natural environments of forests and habitats for wildlife. When urban areas take up natural environments, people can live side by side with wildlife, which carries diseases that can spread easily between people and animals.

Fig. 4 - Nilkhet Mor in Dhakar in Bangladesh, one of the world's most densely populated countries