Population Explosion

Introduction

Population explosion refers to the rapid rise of population in a given area. For example, in India, the growth of the population has been phenomenal. As a result, it is hard for the Indian economy to cope with the problem. However, population explosion or overpopulation does not impact the economy only. It affects lifestyle, medical conditions, and how people cope with the environment as well.

Although the human population has been increasing forever, the term population explosion became popular during the 20th century when the industrial revolution and other factors made it possible for the home sapiens to increase in number exponentially. The increased birth rate, decreasing mortality rate, and better medical facilities all meant that the human population will reach a level that is unprecedented in history.

The growth of the human population can be understood from the fact that at the end of the 19th century the population of humans on earth was nearly 1 billion which reached 7 billion by the middle of the 20th century. It is expected further that the population will reach the figure of 9 billion by 2050. This is an example of overpopulation that occurs due to population explosion.

It must be noted that the distribution of population is not even in the world. Populations in countries like India and Bangladesh have high densities while the European and American nations have fewer population densities. There are regions where the growth of population is negative and where there is a need to increase the population while in some other regions overpopulation exists. Therefore, the population problem needs a localized approach to control and rectify it.

Reasons for Overpopulation

Increased birth rate

The birth rate in India is increasing exponentially due to a lack of knowledge of delivery control and unawareness about birth control programs. It has been observed that although people do not tend to increase the number of offspring, unawareness about birth control mechanisms lets them have more children. This, along with better medical facilities that result in less child mortality is increasing the population at a rate that is beyond the required rate.

Decrease in Child mortality Rate

As mentioned above, due to better and improved medical conditions, the mortality rate among children is decreasing rapidly. Earlier, many children had to die due to a lack of proper medical care just after birth which has now been reduced dramatically. The decrease in mortality rate means more babies now live after birth which adds to the population. This is a direct factor that augments population growth.

Increased life expectancy

An increase in life expectancy levels is another reason for the high growth of the population in India. Better medical facilities and proper lifestyle conditions have increased life expectancy from an average rate of 60 to 65% to 70 to 75% in India. This means people live more and hence the pressure on population growth is increasing. Increased life expectancy also means people live a healthy and lengthier reproductive life which is directly related to the birth of more children. The ultimate effect is an unprecedented increase in population. Apart from better living conditions, better food, nutrition, and proper medical facilities are helping increase the life expectancy of individuals which is impacting the population to grow enormously.

High levels of illiteracy

High levels of illiteracy are an indirect factor affecting population growth. As women are illiterate they are unaware of family welfare and population control and stabilization measures. This lets them reproduce more frequently even when they are not intending to do so. Illiteracy levels also impact the population in another way. As people do not know how to use birth control measures, such as the use of contraceptives, they reproduce more frequently, increasing the population at a high rate and beyond the normal and controllable levels.

Effects of Population Explosion

Population overgrowth has numerous negative effects, some of which are the following:

Unemployment

Uncontrolled growth of the population increases the number of job aspirants at any given point in time but as the resources are limited, the number of jobless people increases. The number of aspirants is too much, and the job market fails to provide enough opportunities to them, leading to the number of unemployed youth which is another problem for society. Unemployment is a problem for the country’s economy and those who go through it, feel depressed which may lead to various other social evils.

Poverty

Increased population leads to an increase in poverty. This can happen via unemployment or illiteracy. As the number of people having access to limited resources rises, the distribution and ownership of resources go down. This leads to poverty. Poverty on the other hand leads to a number of problems including a greater share in increasing the population due to a lack of access to population control measures.

Impacts on the economy

Growing populations that are beyond control impact the economy in numerous ways. It may cause unemployment and unequal distribution of wealth. A large population is also responsible for poverty and the increase of social evils. Although other factors that impact the economy such as fertility rate and literacy may increase as the government and other agencies provide more relief, a huge population creates hurdles in the path of growth of an economy. Therefore, too much population is unwanted for economic growth.

Worse living conditions

Higher population often leads to a degraded lifestyle. As poverty increases with the increasing population, it creates pressure on the economy and results in compromised living conditions. For example, slums in India have huge populations but access to a better lifestyle is limited to these slums and the people living there.

Conclusion

Overpopulation is an enemy of society but at the same time, too low or negatively growing populations in some regions are also a matter of concern. By taking steps like educating people about the ill effects of a growing population, increasing literacy levels, and offering medical as well as occupational help to women population growth can be contained within limits. It is important to pay attention to and control the population because it leads to numerous social evils and hence all people must understand and obey the rules of maintaining the population at normal levels.

FAQs

Qns 1. Give an example of overpopulation that occurs due to population explosion.

Ans. The growth of the human population can be understood from the fact that at the end of the 19th century the population of humans on earth was nearly 1 billion which reached 7 billion by the middle of the 20th century. It is expected further that the population will reach the figure of 9 billion by 2050. This is an example of overpopulation that occurs due to population explosion.

Qns 2. Give three reasons for overpopulation.

Ans. Three major reasons for the overgrowth of the population are increasing birth rates, decreasing infant mortality rates, and increasing life expectancy rates.

Qns 3. Give two examples of the effects of the overgrowth of the population.

Ans. Two effects of the overgrowth of the population are unemployment and poverty.