Overpopulation is an undesirable
condition where the number of
existing human population exceeds
the carrying capacity of earth. It is
caused by number of factors. Reduced
mortality rate, better medical
facilities, depletion of precious
resources are few of the causes which
results in overpopulation.
Why overpopulation
is a problem ?
Causes:
Decline in the Death Rate: Talking about
overpopulation shows that while there are many
factors that can increase the death rate for short
periods of time, the ones that increase the birth rate
do so over a long period of time.
Better Medical Facilities: Illnesses that had
claimed thousands of lives till now were cured
because of the invention of vaccines. Combining
the increase in food supply with fewer means of
mortality tipped the balance and became the
starting point of overpopulation.
More hands to overcome
poverty: The rest faced
poverty and would give birth
to large families to make up
for the high infant mortality
rate. Families that have been
through poverty, natural
disasters or are simply in need
of more hands to work are a
major factor for
overpopulation.
Technological Advancement in Fertility Treatment:
There are effective medicines which can increases the
chance of conception and lead to rise in birth rate.
Moreover, due to modern techniques pregnancies
today are far more safer.
Immigration: Many people prefer
to move to developed countries like
US, UK, Canada and Australia where
best facilities are available in terms
of medical, education, security and
employment. The end result is that
those people settle over there and
those places become overcrowded.
Lack of Family Planning:
Getting their children married
at an early age increase the
chances of producing more
kids. Those people are unable
to understand the harmful
effects of overpopulation and
lack of ignorance prompts them
to avoid family planning
measures.
Positive effects of Overpopulation
Defence: Large Population Makes it possible to
mobilize enough people to defend the integrity of the
country in times of war and any other emergencies.
Increase in Labor Markets: Increasing population
ensures increase in the labor force. Lack of growth in the
labor force will make a country static and gets
equilibrium at less than full employment level of the
economy.
Large Market: Investors would like to invest a country
with a large population. As the population continues to
grow so will be the growth in demand for food and,
shelter, clothing etc.
Negative Effects of Overpopulation:
Degradation of Environment: With the
overuse of coal, oil and natural gas, it has
started producing some serious effects on
our environment.
Depletion of Natural Resources: The Earth can only
produce a limited amount of water and food, which is
falling short of the current needs. Most of the
environmental damage being seen in the last fifty odd
years is because of the growing number of people on the
planet.
Conflicts and Wars: : Overpopulation in
developing countries puts a major strain on
the resources it should be utilizing for
development. Conflicts over water are
becoming a source of tension between
countries, which could result in wars.
Rise In Unemployment: It gives rise to
unemployment as there fewer jobs to support
large number of people. Rise in unemployment
gives rise to crime as people will steal various
items to feed their family and provide them
basic amenities of life.
High cost of living: It raises the
prices of various commodities
including food, shelter and
healthcare. This means that people
have to pay more to survive and
feed their families.
Better Education: Educating the masses
helps them understand the need to have one
or two children at the most. Family planning
and efficient birth control can help in women
making their own reproductive choices.
Making People Aware of Family
Planning: the raising awareness
among people regarding family
planning and letting them know about
serious after effects of overpopulation
can help curb population growth. One
of the best way is to let them know
about various safe sex techniques and
contraceptives methods available to
avoid any unwanted pregnancy.
Knowledge of Sex Education: Imparting sex education
to young kids at elementary level should be must. It is
important for parents and teachers to shed their old
inhibitions and make their kids or students aware of
solid sex education.
The top 10 most populous countries in
Asia are:
China, 1.357 billion
India, 1.257 billion
Indonesia, 248.4 million
Pakistan, 183.9 million
Bangladesh, 154.5 million
Japan, 127.3 million
Philippines, 98 million
Vietnam, 89.7 million
Iran, 76.7 million
Population of Iloilo City increased at the
rate of 1.49 percent annually
Based on the 2010 Census of Population
and Housing (CPH), Iloilo City, a highly
urbanized city in the province of Iloilo,
posted a total population of 424,619
persons as of May 1, 2010. This is larger by
58,228 persons compared to its total
population of 366,391 persons counted in
the 2000 CPH. The increase in the
population count from 2000 to 2010
translated to an average annual population
growth rate (PGR) of 1.49 percent. This is
lower than the 1.70 percent annual PGR of
the city between the census years 1990 and
2000.
