essay of population growth

Understanding Global Change

Discover why the climate and environment changes, your place in the Earth system, and paths to a resilient future.

Population growth

Population growth is the increase in the number of humans on Earth. For most of human history our population size was relatively stable. But with innovation and industrialization, energy, food , water , and medical care became more available and reliable. Consequently, global human population rapidly increased, and continues to do so, with dramatic impacts on global climate and ecosystems. We will need technological and social innovation to help us support the world’s population as we adapt to and mitigate climate and environmental changes.

World human population growth from 10,000 BC to 2019 AD. Data from: The United Nations

Human population growth impacts the Earth system in a variety of ways, including:

Increasing the extraction of resources from the environment. These resources include fossil fuels (oil, gas, and coal), minerals, trees , water , and wildlife , especially in the oceans. The process of removing resources, in turn, often releases pollutants and waste that reduce air and water quality , and harm the health of humans and other species.
Increasing the burning of fossil fuels for energy to generate electricity, and to power transportation (for example, cars and planes) and industrial processes.
Increase in freshwater use for drinking, agriculture , recreation, and industrial processes. Freshwater is extracted from lakes, rivers, the ground, and man-made reservoirs.
Increasing ecological impacts on environments. Forests and other habitats are disturbed or destroyed to construct urban areas including the construction of homes, businesses, and roads to accommodate growing populations. Additionally, as populations increase, more land is used for agricultural activities to grow crops and support livestock. This, in turn, can decrease species populations , geographic ranges , biodiversity , and alter interactions among organisms.
Increasing fishing and hunting , which reduces species populations of the exploited species. Fishing and hunting can also indirectly increase numbers of species that are not fished or hunted if more resources become available for the species that remain in the ecosystem.
Increasing the transport of invasive species , either intentionally or by accident, as people travel and import and export supplies. Urbanization also creates disturbed environments where invasive species often thrive and outcompete native species. For example, many invasive plant species thrive along strips of land next to roads and highways.
The transmission of diseases . Humans living in densely populated areas can rapidly spread diseases within and among populations. Additionally, because transportation has become easier and more frequent, diseases can spread quickly to new regions.

Can you think of additional cause and effect relationships between human population growth and other parts of the Earth system?

Visit the burning of fossil fuels , agricultural activities , and urbanization pages to learn more about how processes and phenomena related to the size and distribution of human populations affect global climate and ecosystems.

Investigate

Learn more in these real-world examples, and challenge yourself to construct a model that explains the Earth system relationships.

The Ecology of Human Populations: Thomas Malthus
A Pleistocene Puzzle: Extinction in South America

Links to Learn More

United Nations World Population Maps
Scientific American: Does Population Growth Impact Climate Change?

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An Introduction to Population Growth

Why Study Population Growth?

Population ecology is the study of how populations — of plants, animals, and other organisms — change over time and space and interact with their environment. Populations are groups of organisms of the same species living in the same area at the same time. They are described by characteristics that include:

population size: the number of individuals in the population
population density: how many individuals are in a particular area
population growth: how the size of the population is changing over time.

If population growth is just one of many population characteristics, what makes studying it so important?

First, studying how and why populations grow (or shrink!) helps scientists make better predictions about future changes in population sizes and growth rates. This is essential for answering questions in areas such as biodiversity conservation (e.g., the polar bear population is declining, but how quickly, and when will it be so small that the population is at risk for extinction?) and human population growth (e.g., how fast will the human population grow, and what does that mean for climate change, resource use, and biodiversity?).

Studying population growth also helps scientists understand what causes changes in population sizes and growth rates. For example, fisheries scientists know that some salmon populations are declining, but do not necessarily know why. Are salmon populations declining because they have been overfished by humans? Has salmon habitat disappeared? Have ocean temperatures changed causing fewer salmon to survive to maturity? Or, maybe even more likely, is it a combination of these things? If scientists do not understand what is causing the declines, it is much more difficult for them to do anything about it. And remember, learning what is probably not affecting a population can be as informative as learning what is.

Finally, studying population growth gives scientists insight into how organisms interact with each other and with their environments. This is especially meaningful when considering the potential impacts of climate change and other changes in environmental factors (how will populations respond to changing temperatures? To drought? Will one population prosper after another declines?).

Ok, studying population growth is important...where should we start?

Population Growth Basics and the American Bison

The US government, along with private landowners, began attempts to save the American bison from extinction by establishing protected herds in the late 1800's and early 1900's. The herds started small, but with plentiful resources and few predators, they grew quickly. The bison population in northern Yellowstone National Park (YNP) increased from 21 bison in 1902 to 250 in only 13 years (Figure 1, Gates et al . 2010).

The yearly increase in the northern YNP bison population between 1902 and 1915 can be described as exponential growth . A population that grows exponentially adds increasingly more individuals as the population size increases. The original adult bison mate and have calves, those calves grow into adults who have calves, and so on. This generates much faster growth than, say, adding a constant number of individuals to the population each year.

Exponential growth works by leveraging increases in population size, and does not require increases in population growth rates. The northern YNP bison herd grew at a relatively constant rate of 18% per year between 1902 and 1915 (Gates et al . 2010). This meant that the herd only added between 4 and 9 individuals in the first couple of years, but added closer to 50 individuals by 1914 when the population was larger and more individuals were reproducing. Speaking of reproduction, how often a species reproduces can affect how scientists describe population growth (see Figure 2 to learn more).

Figure 2: Bison young are born once a year — how does periodic reproduction affect how we describe population growth? The female bison in the YNP herd all have calves around the same time each year — in spring from April through the beginning of June (Jones et al. 2010) — so the population size does not increase gradually, but jumps up at calving time. This type of periodic reproduction is common in nature, and very different from animals like humans, who have babies throughout the year. When scientists want to describe the growth of populations that reproduce periodically, they use geometric growth. Geometric growth is similar to exponential growth because increases in the size of the population depend on the population size (more individuals having more offspring means faster growth!), but under geometric growth timing is important: geometric growth depends on the number of individuals in the population at the beginning of each breeding season. Exponential growth and geometric growth are similar enough that over longer periods of time, exponential growth can accurately describe changes in populations that reproduce periodically (like bison) as well as those that reproduce more constantly (like humans). Photo courtesy of Guimir via Wikimedia Commons.

The power of exponential growth is worth a closer look. If you started with a single bacterium that could double every hour, exponential growth would give you 281,474,977,000,000 bacteria in just 48 hours! The YNP bison population reached a maximum of 5000 animals in 2005 (Plumb et al . 2009), but if it had continued to grow exponentially as it did between 1902 and 1915 (18% growth rate), there would be over 1.3 billion (1,300,000,000) bison in the YNP herd today. That's more than thirteen times larger than the largest population ever thought to have roamed the entire plains region!

The potential results may seem fantastic, but exponential growth appears regularly in nature. When organisms enter novel habitats and have abundant resources, as is the case for invading agricultural pests, introduced species , or during carefully managed recoveries like the American bison, their populations often experience periods of exponential growth. In the case of introduced specie s or agricultural pests, exponential population growth can lead to dramatic environmental degradation and significant expenditures to control pest species (Figure 3).

After the Boom: Limits to Growing Out of Control

Let's think about the conditions that allowed the bison population to grow between 1902 and 1915. The total number of bison in the YNP herd could have changed because of births, deaths, immigration and emigration (immigration is individuals coming in from outside the population, emigration is individuals leaving to go elsewhere). The population was isolated, so no immigration or emigration occurred, meaning only births and deaths changed the size of the population. Because the population grew, there must have been more births than deaths, right? Right, but that is a simple way of telling a more complicated story. Births exceeded deaths in the northern YNP bison herd between 1902 and 1915, allowing the population to grow, but other factors such as the age structure of the population, characteristics of the species such as lifespan and fecundity , and favorable environmental conditions, determined how much and how fast.

Changes in the factors that once allowed a population to grow can explain why growth slows or even stops. Figure 4 shows periods of growth, as well as periods of decline, in the number of YNP bison between 1901 and 2008. Growth of the northern YNP bison herd has been limited by disease and predation, habitat loss and fragmentation, human intervention, and harsh winters (Gates et al . 2010, Plumb et al . 2009), resulting in a current population that typically falls between 2500 and 5000, well below the 1.3 billion bison that continued exponential growth could have generated.

Factors that enhance or limit population growth can be divided into two categories based on how each factor is affected by the number of individuals occupying a given area — or the population's density . As population size approaches the carrying capacity of the environment, the intensity of density-dependent factors increases. For example, competition for resources, predation, and rates of infection increase with population density and can eventually limit population size. Other factors, like pollution, seasonal weather extremes, and natural disasters — hurricanes, fires, droughts, floods, and volcanic eruptions — affect populations irrespective of their density, and can limit population growth simply by severely reducing the number of individuals in the population.

The idea that uninhibited exponential growth would eventually be limited was formalized in 1838 by mathematician Pierre-Francois Verhulst. While studying how resource availability might affect human population growth, Verhulst published an equation that limits exponential growth as the size of the population increases. Verhulst's equation is commonly referred to as the logistic equation , and was rediscovered and popularized in 1920 when Pearl and Reed used it to predict population growth in the United States. Figure 5 illustrates logistic growth: the population grows exponentially under certain conditions, as the northern YNP bison herd did between 1902 and 1915, but is limited as the population increases toward the carrying capacity of its environment. Check out the article by J. Vandermeer (2010) for a more detailed explanation of the equations that describe exponential and logistic growth.

Logistic growth is commonly observed in nature as well as in the laboratory (Figure 6), but ecologists have observed that the size of many populations fluctuates over time rather than remaining constant as logistic growth predicts. Fluctuating populations generally exhibit a period of population growth followed a period of population decline, followed by another period of population growth, followed by...you get the picture.

Populations can fluctuate because of seasonal or other regular environmental cycles (e.g., daily, lunar cycles), and will also sometimes fluctuate in response to density-dependent population growth factors. For example, Elton (1924) observed that snowshoe hare and lynx populations in Canadian boreal forests fluctuated over time in a fairly regular cycle (Figure 7). More importantly, they fluctuated, one after the other, in a predictable way: when the snowshoe hare population increased, the lynx population tended to rise (plentiful food for the lynx!); when the lynx population increased, the snowshoe hare population tended to fall (lots of predation on the hare!); when the snowshoe hare...(and the cycle continues).

It is also possible for populations to decline to extinction if changing conditions cause death rates to exceed birth rates by a large enough margin or for a long enough period of time. Native species are currently declining at unprecedented rates — one important reason why scientists study population ecology. On the other hand, as seen in the YNP bison population, if new habitats or resources are made available, a population that has been declining or relatively stable over a long period of time can experience a new phase of rapid, long-term growth.

What about Human Population Growth?

The growth of the global human population shown in Figure 8 appears exponential, but viewing population growth in different geographic regions shows that the human population is not growing the same everywhere. Some countries, particularly those in the developing world, are growing rapidly, but in other countries the human population is growing very slowly, or even contracting (Figure 9). Studying the characteristics of populations experiencing different rates of growth helps provide scientists and demographers with insight into the factors important for predicting future human population growth, but it is a complicated task: in addition to the density dependent and independent factors we discussed for the northern Yellowstone National Park bison and other organisms, human population growth is affected by cultural, economic, and social factors that determine not only how the population grows, but also the potential carrying capacity of the Earth.

biodiversity : The variety of types of organisms, habitats, and ecosystems on Earth or in a particular place.

exponential growth : Continuous increase or decrease in a population in which the rate of change is proportional to the number of individuals at any given time.

age structure : The distribution of individuals among age classes within a population.

lifespan : How long an individual lives, or how long individuals of a given species live on average .

fecundity : The rate at which an individual produces offspring.

density : Referring to a population, the number of individuals per unit area or volume; referring to a substance, the weight per unit volume.

carrying capacity : The number of individuals in a population that the resources of a habitat can support; the asymptote, or plateau, of the logistic and other sigmoid equations for population growth.

logistic equation : The mathematical expression for a particular sigmoid growth curve in which the percentage rate of increase decreases in linear fashion as the population size increases.

native species : A species that occurs in a particular region or ecosystem by natural processes, rather than by accidental or deliberate introduction by humans.

introduced species : A species that originated in a different region that becomes established in a new region, often due to deliberate or accidental release by humans.

demographers : Demography is the study of the age structure and growth rate of populations.

References and Recommended Reading

Dary, D. A. The Buffalo Book: The Full Saga of the American Animal . Chicago, IL: Swallow Press, 1989.

Elton, C. Periodic fluctuations in the numbers of animals: Their causes and effects. British Journal of Experimental Biology 2, 119-163 (1924).

Gates, C. C. et al . eds. American Bison: Status Survey and Conservation Guidelines 2010 . Gland, Switzerland: International Union for Conservation of Nature, 2010.

Hornaday, W. T. The Extermination of the American Bison, With a Sketch of its Discovery and Life History . Annual Report 1887. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution, 1889.

Jones, J. D. et al . Timing of parturition events in Yellowstone bison Bison bison : Implications for bison conservation and brucellosis transmission risk to cattle. Wildlife Biology 16, 333-339 (2010).

Livingston, M., Osteen, C. & Roberts, D. Regulating agricultural imports to keep out foreign pests and disease. United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service. Amber Waves 6, " http://www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/September08/Features/RegulatingAgImports.htm " (2008).

Pearl, R. & Reed, L. J. On the rate of growth of the population of the United States since 1790 and its mathematical representation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 6, 275-288 (1920).

Plumb, G. E. et al . Carrying capacity, migration, and dispersal in Yellowstone bison. Biological Conservation 142, 2377-2387 (2009).

Rohrbaugh, R., Lammertink, M. & Piorkowski, M. Final Report: 2007 - 08 Surveys for Ivory-Billed Woodpecker and Bird Counts in Louisiana . Ithaca, NY: Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, 2009.

Shaw, J. H. How many bison originally populated western rangelands? Rangelands 17, 148-150 (1995).

Vandermeer, J. How Populations Grow: The Exponential and Logistic Equations. Nature Education Knowledge 1 (2010).

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Essays on Population Growth

Choosing a population growth essay topic.

Population growth is a crucial topic that affects every aspect of our lives, from the environment to the economy. As a student, it's essential to choose a compelling and relevant topic for your essay. In this article, we will discuss the importance of the topic, provide advice on choosing a topic, and offer a detailed list of recommended essay topics.

The Importance of Population Growth

Understanding the dynamics of population growth is essential for addressing various global challenges, such as food security, healthcare, urbanization, and climate change. By studying population growth, students can gain insights into the causes and consequences of demographic changes, as well as the policies and strategies needed to manage and mitigate its impact.

Choosing a Topic

When selecting a population growth essay topic, it's crucial to consider your interests, the relevance of the topic, and its potential for research and analysis. You may want to focus on a specific aspect of population growth, such as its impact on the environment, public health, or social inequality. Additionally, consider the availability of data and resources for your chosen topic, as well as its potential for generating new insights and perspectives.

Public Health

The effects of population growth on healthcare systems
Challenges and opportunities for addressing global health disparities
The role of family planning in managing population growth and public health

Economic Development

The relationship between population growth and economic development
The impact of population aging on labor markets and productivity
Strategies for promoting sustainable economic growth in the context of population growth

Social Inequality

The intersection of population growth, migration, and social inequality
The impact of population growth on urbanization and social infrastructure
Challenges and opportunities for addressing demographic disparities in access to education and employment

Policies and Interventions

Evaluating the effectiveness of population policies and interventions
The ethical and social implications of population control measures
The role of technology and innovation in addressing population growth challenges

By choosing a topic from the above list, you can delve into the complexities of population growth and gain a deeper understanding of its impact on the world around us. Whether you are interested in environmental sustainability, public health, economic development, social inequality, or policy analysis, there are numerous opportunities for exploration and research in the field of population growth.

As you embark on your essay writing journey, remember to approach your chosen topic with curiosity, critical thinking, and a commitment to contributing to the discourse on population growth. With thoughtful consideration and thorough research, you can create an engaging and informative essay that sheds light on the complexities and challenges of population growth in the 21st century.

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Hans Rosling and His Explanation on Population Growth

Population growth and global safety, the overpopulation as a global crisis, overpopulation: clear understanding of the problem and human solutions, the problem of overpopulation: solutions, effects of human population: from population to overpopulation, fossil fuels and their influence on the environment, how the population of the world grows, millennials and the problem of overpopulation in india, metro denver economic review, positive and negative impacts of the modern revolution, overpopulation in africa: the importance of education and economics, global issue of overpopulation: solutions of one-child policy, the causes, effects, and consequences of overpopulation, population growth and greenhouse gas emissions, relevant topics.

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Malthus on Population

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First Online: 01 January 2021
pp 4751–4760
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Joseph R Burger 3 , 4

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An Essay on the Principle of Population ; Exponential growth ; Malthusian growth

An Essay on the Principle of Population by Thomas Robert Malthus ( 1798 ) is a book widely viewed as having profound impact on the biological and social sciences by recognizing basic biophysical, demographic, and economic principles that can lead to population growth and possible collapse.

Introduction

Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground. – Genesis 1:28

The power of population is indefinitely greater than the power in the earth to produce subsistence. – Malthus 1798

An Essay on the Principle of Population by the Reverend, Political Economist, and Demographer, Thomas Robert Malthus (1766–1834), is perhaps the most important document ever published on population, yet its central thesis continues to be highly controversial between natural and social scientists today....

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Essay on Population Growth

Students are often asked to write an essay on Population Growth in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Population Growth

What is population growth.

Population growth means the increase in the number of people living in a particular area over time. Imagine a classroom getting more students every year; that’s like a small example of population growth.

Causes of Population Growth

More people are born than die, which is the main reason for more population. Also, better medicines and food mean fewer people get sick and die young, allowing more people to live longer.

Effects of More People

When there are too many people, it can be hard to have enough food, water, and homes for everyone. Too many people can also harm the environment.

Managing Population Growth

Countries can manage population by teaching people about family planning and making sure everyone can go to school and work, especially women. This helps families make better choices about having children.

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Paragraph on Population Growth

250 Words Essay on Population Growth

Population growth is when the number of people in a place increases over time. Imagine your school getting more students every year; that’s like a small example of population growth. This happens all over the world and can be due to babies being born or people moving to new places.

Why Do Populations Grow?

There are a few reasons why more people are added to the world’s population. One big reason is that we have better medicine and food now, so fewer people get sick and almost everyone has enough to eat. This means people can live longer and more children grow up to be adults. Also, when families have more babies, the population goes up.

When there are more people, it can be both good and bad. It’s good because there are more workers and more ideas for inventions. But it can be tough because we need more houses, schools, and hospitals. Also, if there are too many people, there might not be enough food or clean water for everyone.

Countries try to manage population growth by educating people. They teach about family planning and provide healthcare. This helps families make smart choices about how many children to have. It’s important to balance the number of people with what the environment can support.

In conclusion, population growth is a big topic that affects everyone. It’s about understanding how the number of people changes and making sure we can all live well together on our planet.

500 Words Essay on Population Growth

Population growth means the increase in the number of people living in a particular area, like a city, country, or the world. It’s like watching a small plant grow into a big tree, but with people. Every year, babies are born, and the number of people goes up. This growth can happen quickly or slowly, depending on how many children families have and how long people live.

There are a few reasons why more people are added to the world. First, when families have many children, the population goes up. Second, thanks to better medicine and food, people are living longer than they used to. If more people are born than those who die, the population will grow.

The Good Side of Population Growth

More people can mean more ideas and more help to do big projects. Imagine having a lot of friends to help you build a fort; with many hands, the work gets easier. Countries with growing populations can have more workers, which might help them make more things and have stronger economies.

The Challenges of Population Growth

But, having too many people can also be tough. Think about a pie. If you have to share it with four friends, you get a good slice. But what if you have to share it with ten friends? You get a much smaller piece. In the same way, if there are too many people, there might not be enough food, water, or houses for everyone.

Schools might get too crowded, and there might not be enough doctors and hospitals for sick people. It can also be hard on our planet because more people use more resources and can create more trash and pollution.

What Are People Doing About It?

Governments and organizations are trying to manage population growth by educating people. They talk about the benefits of smaller families and provide health care so that families can plan the number of children they have. They also try to make sure everyone has a chance to go to school and work, especially girls and women, because when they can learn and earn, they often choose to have fewer children.

Looking Ahead

In the future, we need to find ways to make sure there’s enough for everyone. This means growing more food, making sure water is clean and available, and building houses so everyone has a place to live. We also need to take care of our planet by recycling and using less energy.

To sum it up, population growth is like a garden. If we take good care of it and plan well, it can be a place of beauty and abundance. But if we don’t look after it, it can become crowded and difficult to manage. By working together and making smart choices, we can ensure that our world can support all the people who live in it, now and in the future.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

Essay on Population Explosion Boon Or Bane
Essay on Population Boon Or Bane
Essay on Population And Pollution

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

Essay on Population Growth 500+ Words

India, a land of vibrant cultures and diverse landscapes, is also home to one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing populations. The topic of population growth in India is both a challenge and an opportunity. In this essay, I will argue that India’s population growth presents complex issues but also holds the potential for economic and social development.

The Magnitude of India’s Population Growth

India’s population has been steadily increasing for decades. It is currently the second-most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion people. The sheer magnitude of this growth raises questions about the country’s ability to provide essential services such as education, healthcare, and employment.

The Causes of Population Growth

Several factors contribute to India’s population growth. High birth rates, limited access to contraception in some areas, and cultural norms that favor larger families all play a role. Additionally, increased life expectancy has contributed to a growing elderly population.

The Challenges of Population Growth

One of the main challenges posed by rapid population growth is the strain on resources and infrastructure. India’s cities are experiencing overcrowding, traffic congestion, and a shortage of affordable housing. Healthcare facilities and schools are often stretched to their limits, impacting the quality of services.

Economic Opportunities

While population growth presents challenges, it also offers economic opportunities. A large and young workforce can be a valuable asset for a country’s development. India’s demographic dividend, with a significant proportion of young people, has the potential to drive economic growth, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

The Importance of Education

To harness the economic potential of its population, India must invest in education. Access to quality education for all is crucial for developing the skills and knowledge needed for a competitive job market. Improvements in the education system can empower individuals to contribute to the nation’s growth.

Healthcare and Family Planning

Addressing population growth also involves improving healthcare and family planning services. Access to affordable healthcare, reproductive health services, and contraceptives can help individuals make informed decisions about family size. Public awareness campaigns can promote smaller, healthier families.

Sustainable Development

India’s population growth is intrinsically linked to sustainable development. Balancing economic growth with environmental conservation is vital. Sustainable practices in agriculture, water management, and urban planning can mitigate the negative impact of a large population on resources and the environment.

Expert Opinions

Experts emphasize the need for a comprehensive approach to address India’s population growth. Investments in healthcare, education, and family planning are essential. Economist Amartya Sen has highlighted the importance of women’s empowerment and gender equality in reducing birth rates.

Conclusion of Essay on Population Growth

In conclusion, India’s population growth is a multifaceted issue that presents both challenges and opportunities. Managing this growth requires a concerted effort to improve healthcare, education, and family planning services. By harnessing its demographic dividend, India can promote economic growth and sustainable development while ensuring a better quality of life for its citizens. Balancing these aspects is the key to addressing the complex issue of population growth in India.

Also Check: Simple Guide on How To Write An Essay

Advantages and disadvantages of population growth

Over the course of history, the world has seen rapid population growth. It has enabled a rich diversity of culture, technology and improved living standards. However, population growth is increasingly coming at a cost – in particular to the environment. High population levels are contributing to the depletion of natural resources and causing widespread pollution. Some fear population growth is now deeply damaging for both the planet and even the survival of many natural habitats. However, others argue that fears other population growth are misplaced with the planet having room for more people, so long as we learn to live more in harmony with nature and more efficiently in big cities.

Advantages of population growth

1. More people leads to greater human capital . If there are more people, the probability of finding a genius like Einsterin, Marie Curie, Beethoven increase. These exceptional people can lead to technological and cultural masterpieces which enrich our lives. The past 200 years have shown exponential growth in technical development and innovation. There are many factors behind this, but the world’s growing population means we have a bigger pool of human capital and the possibility of these cutting edge discoveries increase.

2. Higher economic growth . Population growth will lead to economic growth with more people able to produce more goods. It will lead to higher tax revenues which can be spent on public goods, such as health care and environmental projects.

The obvious evaluation is to say, the crucial thing is not GDP, but GDP per capita . If economic growth is at the same rate as population growth, average living standards will not increase. However, it is possible population growth can also improve per capita incomes. As the population increases, the economy can benefit from a bigger talent pool, economies of scale and greater specialisation. All this can enable higher per capita income, which we have seen in major developed economies.

3. Economies of scale . Farming and industry have been able to benefit from economies of scale, which means as the population grows, food output and manufacturing output have been able to grow even faster than population growth. For example, at the turn of the nineteenth century, Thomas Malthus predicted population growth would lead to famine as we would be unable to feed the growing population. However, his dire predictions failed to materialise because he failed to understand, that the productivity of land, labour and capital could all increase more than proportionately. 300 years ago, most of the population worked on the land. Technological innovation and economies of scale , mean productivity of land has vastly increased as farmers make use of mechanisation and economies of scale for increased food production.

4. The efficiency of higher population density . In terms of per capita carbon footprint, areas with a high population density are significantly more efficient than rural areas and places with a low population. When people live in densely populated areas, they are more likely to use public transport, live in apartment buildings which are easier to heat. In big cities, transport and the delivery of goods is much more efficient, whereas for low population densities, the average cost and environmental footprint are much higher. Therefore, population growth which leads to growth in city connurbations (which is a feature of global growth in past) is not as environmentally damaging as we may think. In Green Metropolis , by David Owen he argues living in closer proximity in cities is a key aspect of sustainability

Urban areas account for only 3% of the world’s land surface. But, more than 50% of the population. By 2050, the United Nations predict this will rise to 70%. Therefore, population growth doesn’t have to lead to an equivalent fall in natural habitats.

5. The improved demographic structure of society. Many western economies are now experiencing a falling population, with the result that their population demographic is being skewed to old, retired people. This is imposing costs on society as we struggle to pay for health care and pensions. Moderate population growth helps to rebalance the population with a higher share of young, working people.

6. Critical mass . Higher populations can enable a critical mass of people to enable a sider, more vibrant society. With low populations, there is less scope for diversity. But, when the population grows, it can enable the support of a broader cultural range of activities.

Disadvantages of population growth

1. Cost to the environment. Population growth exacerbates many of the existing environmental problems

Trying to reduce carbon and methane emissions to reduce global warming is relatively more difficult as the population.
There will be greater threat on natural habitats as a greater population has greater demand for housing and farmland. This will increase pressure to cut down forests to make way for farming and housing.
Higher population will lead to a greater consumption of non-renewable resources, leading to a faster depletion of natural resources.
Higher population will lead to greater pollution levels in air, water and land. Higher pollution is associated with a range of health issues, such as cancer and asthma. The pollution also harms animals and plants.
Soil degradation. To feed a growing planet, we have seen serious degrading of farmland (according to UN estimates) about 12 million hectares of farmland every year. This is due to factors, such as overgrazing, use of chemicals, climate change and use of chemicals.

2. Congestion . Too many people in a small space will lead to various types of congestion. Road congestion is a major problem across the world. One study suggested congestion cost the EU €111bn (1% of GDP) in 2012. WIth population growth, the costs of congestion will only increase leading to time lost, more pollution and lost output.

3. Water shortages . Already up to 40% of the world’s population face water scarcity and the risk of drought. According to the UN water shortages could lead to 700 million people at the risk of displacement. A growing population will put pressure on scarce water supplies and this is a factor behind many minor and major conflicts with countries having to find ways around the shortage of water.

4. Generating unsustainable waste . We are currently generating non-biodegradable rubbish that we are struggling to process. It tends to end in landfill, causing methane emissions and other toxic problems.

Factors that affect population size and growth
Impact of rising population in the UK

14 thoughts on “Advantages and disadvantages of population growth”

very much helpful

i agree with this statement as poulation increae = gods bible

very helpful

thank you very helpful

That’s much appreciating. Its indeed a wonderful differentiation 👏.

wow amazing I feel like this should be global

Wow,this will enable students learn more

All I want to say is thank u for presenting this minor topic so efficiently:)

Thx 🙏 4 the help we really appreciate.Student Am really thankful for d Answers

I enjoyed reading your article on the pros and cons of population growth. It was well-written and informative.

I agree with your points about the potential benefits of population growth, such as increased economic growth and innovation. However, I also think it’s important to be aware of the potential challenges, such as increased pressure on resources and the environment.

I think it’s important to find a balance between the benefits and challenges of population growth. We need to find ways to ensure that population growth is sustainable and that it doesn’t lead to negative consequences for the environment or society.

For more information on population growth, I recommend checking out Exam Notes. The website has a wealth of information on the topic, including articles, blog posts, and videos.

Good, very clear and easy to understand

This was so good of importance to my studies. thank you.

Very good thank you

Comments are closed.

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Essay On Population

Nowadays, population is a major topic of concern for everyone as the population of the world has increased to 8 billion. A population is the total number of people living in a particular area. This count helps the government allocate adequate resources to each area. Here are some sample essays on the topic ' Population' .

100 Words Essay On Population

Population refers to the total number of people living in a specific area or country. The global population has been increasing rapidly in recent decades and is projected to reach around 9 billion by 2050 . The population growth rate varies by country and region, with some areas experiencing higher rates of growth than others. Population growth can have a significant impact on resources, environment and economy of a country. It also poses challenges such as food and water shortages, housing and infrastructure problems and overburdening of healthcare and education systems. It's important for governments to implement policies to address these issues and ensure sustainable development.

200 Words Essay On Population

The global population has been increasing rapidly in recent decades. According to the United Nations, the world population reached 7.9 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach around 9.7 billion by 2050. This population growth rate varies by country and region, with some areas experiencing higher rates of growth than others. Developing countries tend to have higher population growth rates compared to developed countries.

Impact on Resources

The increasing population has a significant impact on resources. As the population grows, the demand for food, water, and energy increases. This can lead to issues such as food and water shortages, as well as strain on energy resources. Additionally, the increasing population also puts pressure on natural resources, such as forests and land, leading to issues such as deforestation and land degradation.

Impact on Environment

The increasing population also has a significant impact on the environment. As the population grows, so does the amount of waste and pollution produced. This can lead to issues such as air and water pollution, as well as strain on natural systems such as oceans and rivers. Additionally, the increasing population also puts pressure on biodiversity, leading to loss of species and ecosystems.

Impact on Economy

The increasing population also has an impact on the economy. As the population grows, so does the demand for housing, infrastructure, and services such as healthcare and education. This can lead to issues such as housing and infrastructure problems, as well as strain on healthcare and education systems. Additionally, the increasing population can also put pressure on employment and job markets.

500 Words Essay On Population

Population growth: a global phenomenon.

India's Overpopulation

India, with a population of over 1.3 billion , is facing the consequences of overpopulation. The rapid population growth has put a strain on resources, resulting in issues such as food and water shortages, as well as strain on energy resources. The water crisis in India, where over half of the population is facing high to extreme water stress, is a prime example of how overpopulation can affect the availability of resources. Additionally, the increasing population also puts pressure on infrastructure, leading to issues such as housing and transportation.

China's One-Child Policy

China, with a population of over 1.4 billion, has implemented a one-child policy to control its population growth. The policy, which was in effect from 1979 to 2015, aimed to slow down the population growth and improve the standard of living. While the policy did lead to a decrease in population growth, it also had negative consequences such as a gender imbalance and an aging population.

Singapore's Aging Population

Singapore, with a population of around 5.7 million, has one of the lowest fertility rates in the world. The low fertility rate, coupled with an increasing life expectancy, has led to an aging population. This has put a strain on the country's healthcare and pension systems, as well as the workforce. The government has implemented various measures, such as incentives for couples to have more children and encouraging immigration, to address the issue of an aging population.

Population growth is a global phenomenon that affects not only the resources and environment, but also the economy and society as a whole. It's important for governments to implement policies to address the challenges posed by population growth and ensure sustainable development. This can include investing in infrastructure, implementing measures to reduce pollution and waste, and encouraging family planning and education programs. Additionally, it's important to find sustainable solutions to the challenges posed by population growth in order to ensure a future where everyone has access to the resources they need to live a healthy and fulfilling life.

What Can We Do

As students, there are several ways to educate society about population:

Raise awareness through class projects and presentations: Students can create class projects and presentations that educate their peers and teachers about the issue of population growth. They can present the information in an interactive and engaging way, using real-life examples, statistics, and videos.

Participate in population-related events: Students can participate in population-related events such as seminars, workshops, and conferences. This will give them the opportunity to learn more about the issue and to share their knowledge with others.

Use social media to spread awareness: Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are powerful tools that students can use to raise awareness about population growth. They can create posts and share infographics that educate their peers and the general public about the issue.

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The Cause and Effect of the Growing Population Essay

Introduction, population growth cause traffic congestion and air pollution, population causes water pollution, population growth and the ecosystem, works cited.

The increase in the number of species over a certain ecosystem over a given period is itself population growth. Numerous factors cause population growth either in human beings or in animals. Nevertheless, the increase in population has its own advantages and disadvantages.

While population growth can lead to cheap labor in human beings, it can also lead to pollution, ecosystem change and competition over minimal resources. Population growth varies from one place to another depending on the economic status of the inhabitant species. For example, in areas where poverty dominates, the level of births is arguably high while in industrialized countries, birth control mechanisms exhibit, leading to controlled population growth.

Population growth increases proportionally with the existing opportunities like food, water and shelter. Nonetheless, when population is high, people tend to fight over resources like water, food, oil and other natural resources. Consequently, all manner pollution, environmental degradation and contamination result.

Environmental consequences can cause diseases and sometimes death of species. It is therefore good for any government to act in a manner that will control population growth in their respective countries. Some of the elements used to normalize population growth include death and birth rate control.

Where population growth is high, so are death rates. Sometimes death rates can act as a population control measure. However, this element is not an effective control measure. The most effective population control measures comprise of enactment of birth control policies. The paper examines the causes and effects of population growth in human beings.

Population growth has many negative than positive effects. For example, high population means many people own cars. This is a positive effect since; cars increase comfort and ease traveling from one place to another. However, with the increase in the number of cars on roads, traffic congestion occurs. Under this scenario, transport system becomes a burden to many who want to reach their workplaces earlier enough.

Moreover, exhaust fumes from the high number of cars lead to air pollution hence, environmental degradation. Additionally, these cars emit thick and cloudy fumes full of dangerous gases responsible for ozone depletion. Statistics carried out by environment ministries and non-governmental organizations indicate that, since 1990s, population growth has led to overcrowding of cars on roads hence terrible traffic jams.

Furthermore, these people own cars that fume dangerous gases to the atmosphere hence air pollution. For example, environmental scientists record high percentages of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and carbon monoxide (CO2) gases released from cars as responsible for global warming.

In addition to global warming, these gases are dangerous to human health. They create fatal respiratory diseases and some people can contract cancerous diseases, which affects their health status. Transport researchers note that, when there is traffic congestion, cars release high percentage carbon monoxide due to low traveling speeds. (Lewyn, Para 1-6).

In any living scenario, water is one of the most important basic needs. Human beings have varied water use demands. For example, people use water to generate electricity, to transport goods from one place to another, do recreational and use it in other commercial transaction rationales. For these reasons, water becomes part of human living. However, there is a problem with water when population growth occurs.

This is because; water consumption rate increases and consequently, pollution result. Water pollution is a state where human beings perform activities, which end up contaminating water with other dangerous particles. For example, increased population numbers rely on agriculture for survival. In agricultural practices, people use chemicals like pesticides, fertilizers and other herbicides to protect crops-predators.

During rainy seasons, rainwater sweeps these chemicals into water catchments thus, polluting water. On the other hand, reliance of industries to create a living to the growing population has adverse water effects. On many occasions, the release of industrial sewerage into rivers and lakes cause water pollution.

Domestic activities like bathing, washing of clothes, washing of utensils and other household equipments lead to water pollution as well. Furthermore, the problem enhance when water users become many, thus creating competition. Even in flushing toilets, the scarcity of water caused by overpopulation can lead to waterborne diseases, which in turn, affect human beings negatively. (Krantz, Kifferson Para. 1-10).

Because of population growth, all manner waste products; biological, chemical and mechanical lead to ecosystem change. Human practices within a certain environment lead to ecosystem change. The high numbers of human beings consume the available vegetation leaving an ecosystem changed.

Likewise, in order to create shelter, people cut trees and build houses thus, destroying vegetation. On the other hand, building manufacturing industries change the ecosystem of a given place, in addition to air and water pollution. Human activities like road construction, charcoal burning, and pollution change the ecosystem of a certain place. (Green Facts Para. 1-19).

It is apparent to note that; population growth has adverse effects on the environment. Through population growth, there is an increase in the number of cars on roads, which end up causing traffic congestion and air pollution. Traffic congestions force vehicles to move at relatively low speeds thus, emitting dangerous gases to the atmosphere.

These gases are air pollutants, which participate in global warming. On the other hand, human activities through water lead to water pollution while on the other hand; other human activities geared to economic stability can cause ecosystem change. It is therefore the responsibility of any sitting government to enact policies aimed at controlling population growth for the good of the few living species.

Green Facts. Scientific Facts on Ecosystem . 2005. Web.

Krantz, David, Kifferson, Brad. Water Pollution and Society. (n.d). Web.

Lewyn, Michael. Congestion, Pollution and Freeways . Planetizen . 2009. Web.

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Essay on Population Growth in English for Children and Students

Table of Contents

Essay on Population Growth: Population growth today has become a serious matter of concern for the world. The world population has been consistently increasing at an alarming rate and is estimated to be around 7.7 billion in 2019. Uncontrolled population growth leads to rapid urbanization and depletion of resources. Natural resources that are pretty scarce in some parts of the world become scarcer due to increased consumption. Apart from depleting resources, a population increase means more buildings and factories come up and more tress fell and forests destroyed. It also puts an strain on the availability of basic amenities like health, education and welfare.

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Long and Short Essay on Population Growth in English

We have provided below short and long essay on population growth in English for your information and knowledge.

The essays have been written in simple yet effective English so that you can easily grasp the information and present it whenever needed.

After going through these population growth essay you will know what the effects of population growth on natural resources, what is the trend of population growth in different countries; advantages and disadvantages of population growth etc.

The information given in the essays can be used in school/college during speech giving, essay writing and other competitions.

Short Essay on Population Growth – Essay 1 (200 Words)

In today’s time the population has become one of the leading problems of world. It requires a quick and serious attention from all of us. The worst situation due to growing population now can be seen in many countries where people are struggling with shortage of food, shelter, pure water and also have to breathe polluted air.

Increased Population Affects the Natural Resources

This crisis is growing day by day and affecting completely our natural resources as more people results in more consumption of water, food, land, tree and also the fossil fuels badly impacting the environment in many ways. In current time, over population has become a curse to the existence of natural beauty. People are suffering from various diseases due to polluted air in environment.

Population may cause unemployment and also effects the economical development of any country. Due to consistently increasing level of population, poverty is also growing in many countries. People are bounded to live under limited resources and supplements. In many countries including India, population has crossed all its limits and as result we find high illiteracy level, poor health services and lack of resources in the rural areas.

Essay on Population Growth and Its Effects – Essay 2 (300 Words)

Introduction

Population of the World is increasing day by day and it is becoming a huge concern for the world. As per latest data, population is already crossed 7.6 billion in the world. Increase in population affects the economic, environmental and social development of the world.

Different Country with Different Population

Population growth is not uniform in all the countries of the World. Some Countries have high growth while some are having moderate or a very low increase in their population. It creates lot of challenges as countries with high growth are suffering with poverty, more expenses, unemployment, lack of fresh water, food, education, depletion of resources etc as a consequence of population explosion, while countries with low population growth have lack of manpower, an increased old to young ratio , hampering the Country’s growth.

Effects of Population Growth

Let’s see how population affects a country in various ways:

Population increase results in more consumption of natural resources.
Increased demand for everything while the production of the necessary items doesn’t keep up as population growth.
Increase in unemployment, sometimes resulting in the youth’s misguidance towards other illegitimate methods of earning.
Government has to spend more on basic necessities such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, irrigation, water etc while the revenue are not increasing as per population growth, so demand and supply difference is consistently increasing, resulting an increase in prices of items.
Unemployment reduces the capacity of expenditure and families spent its saving on basic need and can’t afford the good education for their children. This results in low qualification and low chance of employment for children when they reach their working age. It affects the growth in economy and industrial expansion.

Population growth rate is needed to be controlled to save the World especially in those countries with faster growth rate. It will balance the system as manpower is required for the growth of country.

Essay on Population Growth is Good for a Country – Essay 3 (400 Words)

Though over population is a worldwide problem but still in some countries population is below the required rate which is also a serious issue as in those countries less people means less manpower to support and work for the development of that country. Over Population is definitely harmful for any country in many ways but it has some positive side too. Increased population leads to increase in manpower for a country where more people are easily found helping in the development of different sectors.

How Population Growth is Good for a Country?

Controlled population growth is also required for growth of the economy of any country. Let’s see how:

If population of a country is constant or is not increasing, it will create more old age people than the young people. That country will not have enough manpower to do the job. Japan is the best example as there government is motivating to increase the birth rate in an attempt to minimize the age gap. Second best example can be taken of China as 25 years ago here government implemented the rule of one child in a family. After few years when the growth rate of China started reducing and was having less young manpower, then recently they lifted this ban and allowed parents to have two children instead of one.

Population increase will create more manpower and more consumption of items required for basic / luxurious. More consumption means more industry growth to cater that consumption. More industry requires more manpower. Money circulation will improve and cost of living of the country will improve. People in the country will earn money and will educate their kids so that they can do work for the growth of country. Basically it all depends on the controlled growth of population. If population growth is higher than required, it will create problem of unemployment, poverty etc.

Over Population is always has negative impact on a country’s growth but controlled pollution growth is also required for a country to achieve success in many ways. Whether resources may be limited for over populated countries but extra manpower is definitely required for generating extra resources and making new inventions.

Essay on Population Growth in India – Essay 4 (500 Words)

Population is the count of the number of persons living in a particular region. It has reached an alarming rate in some countries. Over population can be due to many causes like illiteracy, improper knowledge of family planning, migration from different places.

India is the Second Highest Populated Country in World

According to survey this whole World is inhabited by around 7.6 billion humans among which a major part 17% of the total population of world is residing in India i.e. more than 125 crore people. Adding to this around 21% Indians are below poverty level as a result of uncontrolled population growth. This may lead to disastrous effects in future and thus it is required to control it in order to live a safe and healthy life.

According to Census of 2011, India’s population has crossed 121 crore and it is at second position after the China in the world. Presently this figure may have crossed 130 crore and in near future, it will surpass that of China China. India is facing a big challenge as population growth. It is adversely affecting India’s economical condition and also responsible for poverty and low living standard of people.

Government has to spend more to provide the basic things at the subsidized rate to cater to the massive population of below poverty line (BPL) consumers. As Government is providing subsidy on basic items, it is left with a minimal amount to be used in, developmental projects aiding to the growth in economy. Government has the fewer amounts to spend on social services such as education, hospital, housing, infrastructure etc which are essentially required for a progressive country. Therefore, a planned growth of our economy needs some effective check on population explosion.

Illiteracy is the Major Cause of over-Population

Illiteracy is the main cause in India for the population growth. People living below poverty line (BPL) are not aware of the consequence of this population growth owe to their illiteracy. People think that more children mean they will earn more money for the family without realizing its impact. Sometimes parents desire boy as they think that he will popular his name and family name. Sometimes they give birth to 3-4 girl children in the desire of single boy.

How Overpopulation causes Unemployment

Overpopulation is the main cause for the unemployment in India. We can see that for any examination or vacancy, millions applications are received. It increases the competition and sometimes people use the bribe to get the job. It also increases the corruption in the system which is India’s growing concern.

Role of Government for Controlling Population in India

Government has taken various initiatives to educate the people about the benefits of family planning. Some major steps are noted here:

Government has amended the law and fixed the minimum age for marriage of boy and girl.
Government is creating awareness among people about the importance of family planning, equality of boys and girls, by various advertisements on TV, posters in village etc.
Government is promoting the education of child by taking minimum fees, providing free mid-day meal, free uniform, books etc.

To make a country developed and powerful every citizen of that country need to take step on his own end apart from blaming on others. Over population may be the biggest cause for the destruction of a nation. We must find out effective solutions to the problem in order to achieve success as a Nation.

Long Essay on Causes, Effects, Solutions of Population Growth – Essay 5 (600 Words)

At present situation the problem of overpopulation comes under the category of global crisis which is growing day by day and with each passing second. This essay is specially written for understanding the issues its causes, its affects and most importantly the solution.

Over Population: Causes, Effects and Solutions

Over population means an increase in the number of people in an area than the number, the resources of that particular area can sustain. Many causes are behind this problem some are:

Causes of Population Growth

Growth rate of population is higher in developing countries. Reason for this increase is mainly due to lack of knowledge of family planning. Mostly people who are contributing for population growth are illiterate and living below of poverty line. They are also getting their child marrying at an early age without understanding its implication.
Mostly people come from the rural areas to urban areas/city for the job opportunities or employment and improvement in life style. It creates imbalance in city and shortage of resources.
Improvement in medical technology/treatment reduces the mortality rate for many serious diseases. A lot of chronic diseases or deadly viruses such as measles, small pox are being treated with the improvement in medical services.
With the improvement in medical science, it has become possible for couple who are unable to conceive, to undergo fertility treatment methods and have their own babies. Moreover, due to awareness, people go to the hospital for routine checkups and delivery, which are safer for the mother and baby.
As population increases, consumption of basic need such as food and water will also increase. However Earth can produce a limited amount of water and food, which is lesser in comparison to consumption, leading to an increase in prices.
Forests are depleting to cater the growth of urbanization that is affecting animals in the forest, causing pollution and imbalance in ecology. Natural resources are depleting very fast due to overuse of coal, oil and natural gas etc. It is creating serious effects on our environment.
With the increase in population, number of vehicles and industries has increased significantly; badly affecting the quality of air. Rise in amount of release of greenhouse gases causing global warming, which causes melting of ice from iceberg and glaciers. Changing climate patterns, rise in sea level are few of the consequences that we might have to face due to environmental pollution.
Overpopulation has increased the acts of violence and aggression as people are competing with each other for getting resources and achieving good lifestyle.

Solutions to Protect Population Growth

Developed countries are not facing problem of overpopulation as people in develop countries are educated and they are aware of consequences of having more kids. While in developing countries, people are not well educated and have no proper idea about family planning. If the education improves then they will understand disadvantage of having more than one or two children.
In slum areas government has continuously provided some awareness programs to make understand families about the hard life they will have to face with four or five or more children. They also guide them about family planning and efficient birth control.
Government should impose some restrictions/hard method to control the number of children per couple. Government should also provide some incentives or tax exemption to curb overpopulation.

To live a better life every family need to have proper family planning in manner to provide their kids complete nutritious food, proper shelter, best education and other important resources. A country can only get success when its citizens are healthy and live a happy and content life. Thus controlled population is the key to the success for every Country in the World.

Related Information:

Essay on Population
Essay on Family Planning in India
Essay on World Population Day
Speech on World Population Day
Paragraph on Population
Essay on Overpopulation in World

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Essay on Population Growth

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Causes of Population Growth

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Why Do Populations Grow?

500 Words Essay on Population Growth

The Good Side of Population Growth

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Essay on Population Growth 500+ Words

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