Question

Economics Development Class:  

Question:  Is population growth a problem? Explain. Should the governments in developing countries try to limit population growth and if so, how? if not, what is the appropriate population policy? Explain.

Answer 1

Yes, population growth is a big problem not only for the developing countries from economic point of view, but for the entire human race across the world and the Earth.

Population growth is not good for economic development because of the following problems or reasons:

* Population reduces the rate of capital formation. Population growth diminishes the availability of capital per head which reduces the productivity of labor resulting in reduced income and capacity to save,which adversely affects capital formation.

* Rapid population growth has an adverse effect on per capita income. Up to 'income optimizing level' , the growth of population increases per capita income but beyond that it necessarily lowers the same.

* Large population creates the problem of unemployment. With large population it is not possible to provide and generate employment to all.

* Population growth creates food problem. Increased population means more mouth to feed,which leads to food scarcity .

* Population growth leads to vicious circle in poverty. As a result of unemployment, less savings, reduction in per capita income ,low standard of living economy gets surrounded by the vicious circle of poverty.

*Population growth has adverse effect on environment. Forest cutting, polluted air, water and noise pollution all are result of population growth.

* Growing population lowers the standard of living because of factors like low income ,saving and per capita income.

yes ,the government of developing countries should try to control population growth by adopting following measures:

* Delayed marriages and abolishing child marriages can definitely help in population growth control.

* increased medical facilities like easy and cheap availability of contraceptives. If provided with optimum medical facilities population rate will certainly decline.

* Spreading awareness and people made to understand the consequences of having many children like,lack of good nutrition, education or medical facilities.

* Providing education to all especially women, as educated people know and understand the harms of having high population.

* Some other measures to control population growth can be providing incentives policies, women empowerment,eradicating poverty and legislative actions or contraception should be mandatory not optional.