Population I: Factors Affecting Population Growth SS1 Economics Lesson Note

Population refers to the total number of people living within a geographical area or country at a particular time.

FACTORS AFFECTING POPULATION GROWTH

There are three major factors which determine the size and rate of growth of a country’s population. These can be summarized in the following formula;

r = Birth Rate – Death Rate + Net Migration

r = is the rate of growth of the population.

Net Migration – is the difference between the number of immigrants and emigrants. 

The major factors affecting population size and growth are therefore birth rate, death rate and migration

• BIRTH RATE

This is referred to as the total number of births per thousands of people in a particular year.

It is determined by the following factors:

i. Early Marriage: The birth rate will be higher if people marry at earlier ages.

ii. Health of the People: As a result of improved medical services, the death rate has reduced while the birth rate has been boosted.

iii. Ratio of women of childbearing age: The greater the number of women who are of childbearing age the higher the birth rate.

iv. Religious Beliefs: The religious beliefs of the people may also play a role. For example, Islam allows polygamy and that can lead to a high birth rate.

v. Desire for large families

vi. Improved standard of living.

• DEATH RATE

This refers to the number of deaths per thousand of the population in a year.

FACTORS AFFECTING DEATH RATE

i. Availability of health and medical facilities

ii. Standard of personal hygiene and environmental sanitation

iii. Standard of living

iv. Incidence of epidemics, wars, famine, and people, natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes

v. Age distribution of the population: if there are many elderly people, there may be a tendency for the death rate to be high.

• MIGRATION

Migration is defined as the movement of people from one place to another, involving permanent or temporary residence or settlement.

TYPES OF MIGRATION

a) EMIGRATION: This is the movement of people from one country to another.

b) IMMIGRATION: This is the movement of people into a country.

NOTE: The difference between the number of immigrants and immigrants is called NET MIGRATION. Immigration increases the population while emigration decreases.

FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR INCREASE IN POPULATION

1. Increase in birth rate
2. Decrease in death rate
3. Medical improvement
4. Early marriage
5. The population of women
6. Illiteracy
7. Immigration
8. Absence of family planning.

CONSEQUENCES OR IMPLICATIONS OF RAPIDLY GROWING POPULATION

1. There will be an enlarged market: The total demand for goods and services will be higher.
2. The Dependency ratio will increase:  Workers will have more dependents (especially children) to cater for.
3. Heavy pressure on infrastructural facilities.
4. May lead to unemployment
5. Urban congestion
6. The cost of living will be high
7. Low standard of living and fall in per capita income.
8. Increase in government expenditure
9. Problems of overpopulation.

AGING OR DECLINING POPULATION

An ageing population is a declining population with an increasing percentage of old people, while the relative percentages of children and workers are decreasing.

An ageing population is also referred to as a decreasing population stationary population or static population.

  FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR AGING POPULATION

1. Decrease in birth rate
2. Increase in death rate
3. Emigration
4. War
5. Diseases
6. Natural disasters

ADVANTAGES OF DECLINING OR DECREASING POPULATION

1. Reduction in government expenditure
2. Increase in government savings
3. Increase or high standard of living
4. It may lead to under-population
5. Creation of job

DISADVANTAGES OF DECLINING OR DECREASING POPULATION

1. Reduction in labor force
2. It discourages investment
3. Rise in prices of goods and services
4. It may lead to under-population
5. High dependency ratio
6. It discourages foreign aid