Population Growth

Problems World population growth is increasing,and is already causing many problems. It is projected to continue growing in some parts of the world whilst others stabilise, with some estimates putting the final population of the world as high as 12 billion (it is currently half that).

Managing Population Growth Asia, Africa and Latin America. These developing areas are moving through the demographic transition model from stage 2 to stage 3. In other words, during the second half of the 20 th century their death rates fell, whilst the birth rates continued to be high. This was due to improving health care and sanitary conditions. As a result of the BR being so much higher than the DR, the population of these areas has exploded.

LEDC Problems Urban areas will become increasingly overcrowded. Shanty towns will continue to grow, and people living there will do so in very poor sanitary conditions, which may well cause outbreaks of devastating diseases. The increasing numbers of people in the cities will also cause more pollution and traffic congestion, leading to environmental problems and possibly diseases, or the increase of respiratory problems, such as asthma.

LEDC Problems More people will be in need of jobs, and so the problem of massive unemployment will occur. This could lead to more people being forced to live in poverty or turn to a life of crime. Governments may come under increasing pressure to provide adequate food and services to the increasing population. This may be beyond the current capability of many LEDC's, and may result in them borrowing more money from the MEDC's, thus increasing their debt problems.

Areas Of Little Population Growth The MEDC areas, such as Europe, North America and the Former Soviet Union. Most of these countries have already reached stage 4 of the demographic transition model, and in many cases have almost zero population growth. Some, such as France and Sweden may even be entering a fifth demographic stage where the DR is higher than the BR, meaning that the population falls.

Areas Of Little Population Growth The drop in birth rates, as well as the increasing life expectancy of people in MEDC's, has led to problems in these countries also. Countries such as the UK, France and the United States over the next twenty years are going to have an ever increasing number of elderly people, over the age of 65. These countries are having to find strategies to cope with the extra demands that this will bring.

Problems As the percentage of elderly dependants increases, there will be less people of working age to support a larger dependant population. This could cause problems of a lack of sufficient people to fill available jobs in some areas. Health care resources will have to be increased to cope with the needs of the increasing elderly population. This may take money away from other important areas of society such as education or transport. The economic impact will be an increased need for funding for elderly health care, as well as an increase in the numbers of people getting pensions, and other economic benefits given to the elderly.