Overpopulation and Underpopulation

How does population growth relate to these

concepts?

Is this country overpopulated or underpopulated?

This is a photograph of Bogota in Columbia. It has a population density of 39 per square

km.

Is this country

overpopulated

or

underpopulated

?

This is a photograph of Singapore – population density of 7,486 per square

km

The Problem with Overpopulation and Underpopulation

• Confused with HIGH DENSITY.• Only meaningful when applied to

societies that depend on local resources.

• Difficult to apply the concept of overpopulation to urban societies.

Key Terms

OPTIMUM POPULATION: The level of population which, through production of goods and services, provides the highest average standard of living.

OVERPOPULATION: When there are too many people in an area relative to the resources and the level of technology available.

UNDERPOPULATION: The population cannot fully utilise the resources available. An increase in population would lead to an increase in standard of living.

CARRYING CAPACITY: The largest population that a particular area/environment can support.

EXCESS CAPACITY: When carrying capacity exceeds population number (per unit area).

POPULATION PRESSURE: When population per unit area exceeds the carrying capacity.

OPTIMUM POPULATION

Optimum population = the size of population which permits the full use of the natural resources of an area

giving maximum per capita output and standard of living

Underpopulation

– the population

is too sm

all to

develop its

resources

effectively

Overpopulation – an

increase in

population or

decrease in natural

resources which

leads to a decrease

in standards of living

for the population as

a whole.

Optimum population is THEORETICAL

Is Bangladesh

Overpopulated?

Bangladesh has a high population density of 1,188 per square km (2013) and a population growth rate of 1.59%. The GDP per capita of $497 is extremely low. 33% of the population are under 14 years of age. There is a high incidence of natural disasters – particularly flooding. Most of the population are farmers. There is a shortage of industry, services and natural resources. The low level of literacy has led to limited internal innovation and a lack of capital has meant that the country cannot afford to buy technology from abroad. What do you think?

The Netherlands has a population density of 497 per square kilometre. There are large, densely populated areas in the Netherlands and it is not well endowed with natural resources. However, it has been able to use technology to produce high-quality agricultural products for export to generate income GDP per capita is $45,960 (2013. What do you think the standard of living is like in the Netherlands compared to Bangladesh?

Is The Netherlands Overpopulated?

Canada’s population density is low – 4 per sq km (2013). Population growth rate is 0.77%. The GDP per capita in 2013 was extremely high at $51,206. Approximately 18% of the population is aged under 15. There are few natural disasters. Canada has developed industries, services and many natural resources. Few people are farmers or live in rural areas. High levels of literacy and wealth allow the development and import of modern technology. Theoretically, Canada could double its population and still maintain its high standard of living. What do you think?

Is Canada

Underpopulated?

This market place is ‘underpopulated’…there is plenty of produce (resources) but no customers (population) to buy it and therefore the market traders don’t make any money. If there were more customers (an increase in population) more produce would be sold (resources exploited) and more money made (an increase in standard of living).

POPULATION DENSITY: 8.7 people per km2

AGE STRUCTURE:16.4% aged 0-14 years, 10.7% aged 15-24, 45.8% aged 25-54, 13.8% aged 55-64, 13.3% aged 65+ (2014)

Population Growth Rate: -0.03% (Declining)

LIFE EXPECTANCY: 70.16 years

Total Fertility Rate (average number of children born to females between the ages of 15 and 45: 1.61 *** REPLACEMENT Rate is 2.1

GDP PER CAPITA: = $24,800

Is Russia Underpopulated?

Underpopulated Africa???NAMIBIA

MAURITANIA

BOTSWANA

GABON

Problems caused by

overpopulation

Social

Economic

Environmental

Political

Population Theories – Malthus vs BoserupMalthus the PESSIMIST! Population size is either decreased by ‘positive checks’ (war, famine, disease) of ‘preventative checks’ ( latter marriage, birth control). This happens in a series of cycles.

Boserup the OPTIMIST! These theorists believe that people are resourceful, and population growth will stimulate innovation and enable food supply to be increased to meet demand.

Can you apply the theory????

Draw a CONTINUOUS FLOW DIAGRAM putting the following labels in sequence according to Malthusian theory:• Increased demand for food• Economic distress• Early marriage• Population growth• Suffering and delayed marriage• Food prices drop• Increase in wealth• Food prices rise• Less demand for food• Population decrease

Why does this diagram illustrate the pessimistic view of Malthusian theory?

LIMITATIONS OF MALTHUS AND BOSERUP

MALTHUS BOSERUP

Too simplistic – a shortage of food is just one possible explanation for starvation, disease and war.

Theory does not take migration into account. Because communities are not ‘closed’ when over-population occurs people often leave.

Malthus theory is based on the assumption of a ‘closed’ community. However, except at a global scale the world’s population is not closed and so does not enjoy a fair and even distribution of food supplies.

Certain types of fragile environment cannot support excessive numbers of people. In such cases, population pressure does not always lead to technological innovation and development.

Malthus could not have foreseen the advances in farming technology, resource substitution or sustainable development.

Over-population can lead to unsuitable farming practices which may degrade the land, e.g. Desertification.

Rather than starvation, food surpluses exist and agricultural production increases.

Assumes that populations have access to technological change.Due to migration it is possible that the degree of population pressure required to lead to technological innovation will not be reached.

Neither Malthus or Boserup take into account the role of national policies (civil war), agribusiness, crop development on irrigated land and uneven land distribution.