Chapter at a Glance: Population | Economics for JAMB PDF Download

Meaning and Theories

Population refers to the total number of individuals, usually living within a specific geographical area, and it plays a crucial role in the economic development of a country. It encompasses various factors such as size, composition, growth, structure, and distribution of the population.

Theories of Population:

1. Malthusian Theory: Proposed by Thomas Malthus, this theory suggests that population tends to grow exponentially, while the availability of resources grows linearly. Consequently, population growth will eventually outstrip the available resources, leading to a crisis of overpopulation and poverty.
2. Optimum Theory: This theory argues that there exists an ideal or optimum population size for a given level of resources and technology. Deviation from this optimum, either due to underpopulation or overpopulation, will have negative consequences for economic development.
3. Demographic Transition Theory: This theory explains the process of population change over time. It identifies four stages: high birth and death rates in pre-industrial societies (Stage 1), declining death rates due to improved healthcare (Stage 2), declining birth rates due to social and economic changes (Stage 3), and low birth and death rates in industrialized societies (Stage 4).

Census: Importance and Problems

Importance of Census:

• The census is a systematic and comprehensive count of a country's population and provides valuable data for economic planning and policy formulation.
• It helps in determining the size, composition, and distribution of the population, including age, sex, occupation, education, and other demographic characteristics.
• Census data aids in the formulation of social welfare programs, infrastructure development, and resource allocation.
• It helps in assessing the impact of population growth on various sectors of the economy and aids in policy formulation to address related challenges.

Problems with Census

• Undercounting: Inaccurate counting of the population can occur due to various reasons such as incomplete coverage, inaccessible regions, lack of awareness, or deliberate manipulation of data.
• Overcounting: Sometimes, individuals may be counted more than once, leading to an inflated population figure.
• Data Quality: The accuracy of the collected data can be affected by errors in data collection, processing, and analysis.
• High Cost: Conducting a census involves significant financial resources, making it challenging for developing countries to carry out regular and comprehensive censuses.

Size and Growth: Overpopulation, Underpopulation, and Optimum Population

• Overpopulation: Overpopulation occurs when the number of individuals in a given area exceeds the available resources and infrastructure to sustain a decent standard of living. It can lead to increased poverty, unemployment, environmental degradation, strain on public services, and social unrest.
• Underpopulation: Underpopulation refers to a situation where the number of individuals is insufficient to fully utilize the available resources. It can result in labor shortages, low productivity, and limited economic growth.
• Optimum Population: Optimum population represents the ideal balance between the population size and available resources, enabling sustainable economic development. It ensures that resources are adequately utilized without putting excessive strain on the environment or society.

Structure and Distribution

• Structure: Population structure refers to the composition of a population in terms of age, sex, education, occupation, and other demographic characteristics. It provides insights into the labor force, dependency ratio, and human capital of a nation.
• Distribution: Population distribution refers to the spatial arrangement of individuals across a given area. It can be concentrated in urban areas or dispersed in rural regions. Population distribution affects infrastructure development, resource allocation, and regional disparities.

Population Policy and Economic Development

• Population Policy: Population policies are formulated by governments to address population-related issues and promote economic development. These policies include measures to control birth rates, improve healthcare, enhance education, and address issues of migration.
• Economic Development: Population plays a crucial role in economic development. An optimum population size, coupled with appropriate policies, can lead to a demographic dividend, where a large working-age population contributes to economic growth, productivity, and innovation.

Government Population Policy in Nigeria

• The Nigerian government has implemented various population policies, such as the National Policy on Population for Sustainable Development. These policies aim to address issues of high population growth, family planning, healthcare, education, and poverty reduction.
• The government promotes reproductive health services, family planning education, and access to contraceptives to control population growth.
• Efforts are made to improve healthcare infrastructure, reduce infant and maternal mortality rates, and enhance the quality of life for the population.
• The government also focuses on education and skill development programs to empower the population and enhance human capital.