OPTIMUM POPULATION
INTRODUCTION:-The concept of optimum population is basically economic in character. It is significant for Population Geographers, who also have their concern with population-resource relationships in an area. The studies relating to the relationship between population and resources have, of recent, assumed greater significance because of the realization that the continued explosive population growth was keeping the world in a state of perpetual crisis. The nature of the social structure, the stage of technological advancement, the characteristics of the distribution system, and public policies are other elements of the system that govern the balance between the people and the resources of any area. In any assessment of the population-resources nexus, all these factors constitute important elements of the system.
The term OPTIMUM itself must be defined because it is a relative term. Optimum has to be measured in terms of quality of life. The optimum level is the size of the population, which yields the highest quality of life. “The quality of life means that: each inhabitant receives an adequate amount of food, energy, water, and air of high quality; adequate raw material to permit him to make all the things and devices he needs; adequate medical care, recreational facilities, and cultural outlets, etc.” (chandna,2016). The optimum population is a dynamic concept rather than the static concept. Due to the introduction of improved technology average product of labor might increase and push the level of per capita income upward, then the optimum level of population is also shifted. So, the optimum population is not a static one.
Some definitions are given here:-
“The population at which the standard of living is at maximum is called the optimum population.” -Boulding.
“Optimum population is that which gives the maximum income per head“.-Dalton
“The optimum population is that population which produces maximum social welfare”.-Car Saunders
OPTIMUM POPULATION
Optimum population Dalton’s formula regarding optimum population :-
M= A – O/ O
Where, M = Maladjustment in population
A = Actual population
O = Optimum population
If M is positive then it is overpopulation, if M is negative then it is underpopulation if M is zero then it indicates the optimum population.
There are some innumerable practical difficulties in its measurement. If the resource base will become static and the population increases considerably or if the population will remain nearly stable but somehow our resource base erodes so that our per head output will fall then the equilibrium of population-resource becomes disturbed. The deviation from the equilibrium state gives rise to overpopulation and underpopulation.
Beyond optimum population, if the population further expands then the total output may increase but it will hurt their living standard as less and less per head resources are available. This is the stage of overpopulation. For example Mumbai in India; Moscow in Russia etc.
A stage of development in population- resource relationship when technology and resources are there but due to lack of adequate hands they are not being efficiently exploited for the betterment of the society. This is the stage of underpopulation. For example Argentina, Mongolia, etc.
The concept of optimum population is of little practical interest in farming economic policies relating to population, employment, and growth. But this concept has a great significance in terms of overpopulation and underpopulation. It is learning about the welfare economics of a country.
POPULATION EXPLOSION
Meaning- Population Explosion refers to the number of people that live in an area. It is a major issue for developing countries than developed societies. Also, the Government is not taking proper measures to control this problem. Besides, it generates many issues in the country that cause many problems for people and their surrounding environments.
It refers to the sudden and rapid increase in size and number of the population, a drastic growth in population beyond normal limits of an area among human beings. In simple words, it could be defined as an increase in birth rate and a decrease in death rates. It is an unchecked growth of the human population. Furthermore, it is a situation where the economy is not capable of coping with the increasing demand of its population.
Population Explosion in India-
The period from 1901-1921 is referred to as a period of negative growth rate due to poor health and medical services, illiteracy of people in the census of 1921 registered a negative growth rate of 0.31%, it is called demographic divide.
In 1921-1951 steady population growth was observed due to improved health and sanitation and transport and communication system.
In the phase 1951-1981, it is the period of population explosion in India, which is caused by a rapid fall in the mortality rate but a high fertility rate of population in the country. The average annual growth rate is 2.2 %. It is after independence time, due to developmental activities were introduced through a centralized planning process and the economy started showing up ensuring the improved living condition of people at large. Consequently, there was a high natural increase and a higher growth rate. Besides increased international migration bringing in Tibetans, Bangladeshis, Nepalese and even people from Pakistan contributed to the high growth rate; this period (1951-1981) experienced a very high rate of population growth and is referred to as the period of population explosion.
In 1981-2011, In the post-1981 till present, the growth rate of countries population through remained high, has started slowing down gradually. A downward trend of Crude Birth Rate is held responsible for such population growth.
Causes of population explosion:-the causes of population explosion include many factors and reasons. These include-
Increase in the birth rate- Due to lack of control on delivery and unawareness of people the birth rate is increasing rapidly. In addition, the gap between death and birth has gone way wider than what we can think of. Furthermore, the b birth rate has increased many folds in comparison to the death rate. The birth rate is the number of children born/1000 people/year. With the advent of better medical facilities, economic prosperity, social beliefs the birth rate increases which causes an increase in population.
Decrease in Infant Mortality Rate- Mortality rate refers to the number of death of infants below the age of 6 months. Due to science and technology, a good and clean atmosphere, sufficient nutrients, better medical facilities have provided longer and healthy life. We can minimize this rate and now only a few cases of death are known per 1000 death.
Life Expectancy Growth- earlier the life expectancy of people was around 55-60 years. But due to better and improved medical facilities, we are now able to increase the life expectancy of people. Now the average age of a person increased to 70-75 years.
High level of illiteracy- the literacy level of women is one of the biggest problems of family planning. In India, people pay very little importance to women’s education and marry them at an early age. That’s why they do not have knowledge about birth control methods and the use of contraceptives.
Increase Immigration and decrease Emigration- the countries like the USA where the development had brought a good environment for citizens to stay, earn, and enjoy had resulted in an increase in immigration.
In the case of Developing Countries the basic requirement of citizens like the place, development opportunities are satisfied hence migration is avoided which may cause overpopulation.
Effects of Population Explosion:- The population explosion affect natural resources and many sectors of the economy in many ways.
Unemployment- due to the increase in the population the demand for jobs and employment also increases. But due to a lack of resources and employment opportunities, there are millions of jobless people in India.
The condition of unemployment is growing day by day. To face this problem most of the people are migrating to other countries for better job opportunities.
Poverty- due to the large population there is a large number of people who belong below the poverty line and they do not have adequate knowledge of the overpopulation of the country. Also, they are the major contributor to a high birth rate.
Conclusion- There are various methods by which we can prevent a population explosion. The government can take measures to aware of the population about the various methods that can help in controlling the population. Also, it should important some strong campaigns for family planning and birth control.
To sum it up, the population explosion has caused huge pressure on the surface of the earth. Also, we can control many issues by controlling population growth. Besides many problems like food insecurity, illiteracy, poverty, overuse of natural resources and unemployment can be minimized by controlling the population.
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