a. Distinguish between:
i. Growing population and a declining population
ii. overpopulation and underpopulation.
b. Explain any four disadvantages of a rapidly growing population in an economy
Explanation
(a) i. A growing population is one which has a large proportion of young people. A declining population, on the other hand, is one with a large proportion of old/aged people.
(i) Overpopulation exists if the population is so large n relation to the country's resources and level of technology to the extent that output per head is below the O Under population exists if the population is too small in relation to a country's resources and eve or technology such that output per head is below the optimum.
(b) (i) There will be pressure on the existing social amenities Such as water, electricity, health facilities, etc.
(ii) There will be congestion in urban areas.
(iii) a large population may result in greater unemployment.
(iv) Per capita income may fall which will result in a fall in the standard of living, due to high cost of living.
(v) A rapidly growing population will result in a high dependency ratio.
(vi) High dependency ratio may result in low savings by the labor force and hence low capital formation in the economy.
(vii) Rapid population growth may result in high environmental pollution.
(viii) There will be an increase in government expenditure in the provision of social amenities.
(ix) It will lead to rural-urban migration with its attendant problems, as well as emigration with its problem of brain drain.
(x) High demand for goods and services, if not matched by increased output will result in inflation
(xi) Government will be compelled to import more consumer goods which will adversely affect the balance of payments.