1. 2 Human Development & Overpopulation
The main terms associated with human development
How poor development of resources can lead to overpopulation
How a region’s cultural differences, economic level, population growth, technological advancement and developments can all have a major impact on its population either positively or negatively

2. Chapter 2: Human Development & Overpopulation
No. of people in a region too many for natural resources to support
Carrying capacity exceeded
Migration – release valve
Underpopulation
No. of people living in a region cannot use/exploit the natural resources fully
Inward migration: increases living standards for all
Optimum population
The no. of people that can exist in a region with an adequate standard
living without depleting natural resources.

3. Population:Resources.

4. Overpopulated?
Japan
Pop density 336km₂
Ethiopia
Pop density 60km₂

5. Carrying Capacity The number of people a region can support
Factors that can increase CC:
Decreasing pop.
Use of fertilisers
New farming methods
Irrigation
Better crops/animals
Land reclamation
Factors that can decrease CC:
Pop. Growth
Soil erosion
Deforestation
Flooding
Overgrazing/overcropping
Urbanisation/migration
Climate change

6. Chapter 2: Human Development & Overpopulation
Overpopulation & resources
Causes of overpopulation:
Climate change
Flooding
Unsustainable farming methods
Population growth/high birth rates
Depletion of resources

7. Chapter 2: Human Development & Overpopulation
Overpopulation & development of resources
Effects of overpopulation
Socio-economic
Environmental

8. Characteristics of an over populated area
High birth rates
Lower life expectancy
Lower literacy levels
High unemployment
Lack of surplus food
Poor diet
Unhygienic living conditions
Financially stretched government
Conflict over resources
Lack of arable land
Congestion
Overcrowding
Urban sprawl
Environmental degradation

9. Link between population and level of development Measuring Development?
Income
Standard of Living
GNP
Total wealth at home and
abroad divided by pop
GDP (Gross domestic product)
Total wealth produced in a
country minus MNCs divided
by pop
HDI
Index between 0 and 1.0
Uses three factors to rank
countries according to Human
Development
Life expectancy
Literacy rates
GDP adjusted to local cost of living

12. Chapter 2: Human Development & Overpopulation
Impact of income levels on population growth
Poverty is a cause of high birth rates
large numbers of children seen as economic advantage
In developing countries, dependency on agriculture is high
Children can work to help produce food for family
Governments cannot support families
Children are insurance for the future –provide care to parents in old age
Access to education and healthcare linked to income
As income levels rise, birth rates drop
In developed economies children are seen an economic responsibility due to cost of childcare etc.

14. Chapter 2: Human Development & Overpopulation
Influence of society on population
Status of women
Developing world: low status
Less education: India, 62% illiterate
Marry very young, role = produce sons
India: 20% world’s maternal deaths, % child deaths

15. Chapter 2: Human Development & Overpopulation
Influence of society on population
Education on family planning
Availability of healthcare
Government policy, eg China, Romania
India: Vasectomy for a radio 1970s
Promotion of smaller family

16. Chapter 2: Human Development & Overpopulation
Influence of culture on population
Religion
Strong religious influence = high birth rates
Oppose artificial birth control & abortion
Ireland 1970s, Catholic; Muslim countries, Saudi Arabia; South America
Catholic influence declining – Italy, 1.3 births per mother per year

17. Chapter 2: Human Development & Overpopulation
Influence of culture on population
Local customs
India: no. of children indicates virility
Desire for sons ( dowry)
Traditional view of role of women
Larger families – economic advantage, insurance

18. Chapter 2: Human Development & Overpopulation
Impact of technology on population growth
Agricultural Revolution
Improved farming methods
Crop rotation
Selective breeding
Improved irrigation
Improved fertilisers
GM foods & the Green Revolution
New strains of plants
disease resistant varieties
High yield seeds
Use of chemicals
Increased food supply

19. Chapter 2: Human Development & Overpopulation
Impact of technology on population growth
Medical improvements
Access to primary healthcare
Immunisations
Disease eradicaton programmes
Decrease in infant mortality
Longer life expectancy
Improved family planning
New drugs and treatments

20. Chapter 2: Human Development & Overpopulation
Advances technology can reduce effects of overpopulation
Reduces ecological footprint
Increase sustainable use of resources
Afforestation
Composite materials,
eg. carbon fibre replacing metals
Renewable energy reduces reliance on fossilfuels
Fuel cells to replace finite oil supply
Eco friendly agriculture eg organic
Reduction of emissions
Recycling conserves resources

21. Chapter 2: Human Development & Overpopulation
Case Study
Causes of overpopulation in India
unwise use of resources in Rajasthan region
growing population
large areas of forest cleared
Humification and transpiration interrupted
poor farming practices
over cropping and overgrazing
Soil erosion
Spread of Thar Desert
Infertile and unable to support pop.

22. Chapter 2: Human Development & Overpopulation
Overpopulation & the impacts of society & culture
Effects of overpopulation in India
Risk of famine
Land very scarce
Migration
Unemployment
Overcrowding

23. Chapter 2: Human Development & Overpopulation
Impact of population growth/decline
Developing world
South (stages 2/3)
30% under 14 years
Challenges: basic healthcare & education
Civil wars, corrupt leadership, no MNC investment
Overpopulation
Food security
Agricultural lands – overworked & sterile
Large populations; low wages

24. Chapter 2: Human Development & Overpopulation
Impact of population growth/decline
Developed world
As economy improves, family size reduces
North (stage 4/5)
Inward migration from South to sustain living standards

25. Overpopulation: Links between issues
Population growth
Increased needs
Increased consumption
Environmental Degradation
Declining Resources
Scarcity & Poverty
Conflict
Migration