Rapid population growth

Rapid population growth

Rapid population growth refers to the fast increase in the number of people at a particular place. As the population grows faster than the level of production, it creates problems in the community. In many developing countries, population growth is even greater than economic growth. This is due to high fertility rate, increase in average life expectancy as well as a significant rapid increase of migrants such as refugees.

Effects of rapid population growth

There are various effects of rapid population growth in the community. These effects include:

1. environmental degradation resulting from high demand for shelter and cultivation;
2. an increase of vulnerable street children and increased crimes.
3. Other effects include famine as a result of overpopulation;
4. outbreak of diseases caused by environmental degradation.
5. In addition, rapid population growth contributes to environmental pollution caused by low income of the people and the congestion making them unable to dispose wastes properly.
6. Furthermore, it leads to shortage of social services such as schools, hospitals, drugs, safe maternity, and transport; shortage of resources and unemployment. This is due to population growth that does not correspond to the country's economic growth.

Controlling the effects of rapid population growth

Effects of rapid population growth can be controlled through the following ways:

1. the community should be educated on environmental protection;
2. prevention of early pregnancies by educating girls;
3. family planning education should be provided to community members so as to reduce the rate of new births;
4. the government or individuals should create new employment opportunities for people and provide entrepreneurship education that will enable more people to become self-employed.