- Main influencing factors in population growth
- Urbanization of the population
- Increase in life expectancy
- Resource availability
- Political decisions
- Large-scale armed conflicts
- Weather
- Economy
- Natural disasters and diseases
- Slavery and colonization processes
- Other local factors in small towns
- References
Population growth is influenced by various factors and dynamics that are manifested at global and local scales and that have led to the distribution of the current population.
Population growth is a matter of global priority due to the problems posed by the demographic explosion in recent years. Currently there is no program that develops the necessary concepts to face the overpopulation problem.
Population growth in countries with different levels of development. Source: United Nations
The development of a methodology that allows addressing the problem of overpopulation must take into account the factors that influence the population growth of a country and the world.
These factors include economic, military, political, social, and moral issues.
The first step to face population growth is the education of individuals on the subject, focusing on the factors that influence the problem.
Main influencing factors in population growth
Some of these factors are:
Urbanization of the population
The concentration of communities has accelerated the growth of populations. 1800 years ago there were 750 cities with more than 5,000 inhabitants and 45 with more than 100,000 inhabitants.
There are currently more than 28,000 cities with more than 5,000 inhabitants and about 1,000 with more than 100,000 inhabitants.
Increase in life expectancy
Thanks to medical and social advances, more and more elderly people that exist today are increasing the world's population.
Resource availability
One of the most determining factors in population growth is the availability of food and energy resources to maintain growth dynamics.
Political decisions
The political initiatives of the countries can influence the population growth that occurs in their territories.
These decisions can range from welcoming immigrants to controlling the amount of offspring a person can have.
Large-scale armed conflicts
Events such as the first and second world wars, the wars in the Middle East, and political purges in authoritarian regimes have come to affect population growth at local and global levels.
Weather
In ancient human populations, climate was an important factor in population control. Currently the effect of climate is not so evident.
However, processes such as climate change appear as a determining factor in the future of population growth.
Economy
The economic dynamics between different countries largely define population growth in the regions.
Currently, while developed countries have low population growth, developing countries have high population growth rates.
Natural disasters and diseases
Large-scale natural phenomena such as droughts or major earthquakes affect population growth dynamics at local levels.
Likewise, large-scale diseases and epidemics have influenced world population growth.
Slavery and colonization processes
Many populations have seen their growth affected by colonization processes, such as the case of the American indigenous population after the arrival of Europeans to America and the decline of the West African population due to the enslaving processes of the 19th century.
Other local factors in small towns
The establishment of growing commercial zones, pollution, local armed conflicts and small-scale natural disasters are determining factors in the population fluctuations of small areas although they do not greatly influence global population growth.
References
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- Beveridge W. the Population Problem. The Clearing House. 1968; 42 (5): 264.
- Cominetti S. González E. Form of the Cities. Evolution and Trends. Geographical Magazine. 1984; 100: 19–45.
- Hardoy JE Satterthwaite D. Urban Change in the Third World Are Latest Trends a Useful Indicator of the Urban Future? Demographic And Urban Studies. 1988; 3 (2): 209–236.
- Mason M. Population Density and "Slave Raiding" -The Case of the Middle Belt of Nigeria. The Journal of African History. 1969; 10 (4): 551–564.
- Nash EK Going beyond John Locke? Influencing American Population Growth. The Milbank Memorial Fund Quarterly. 1971; 49 (1): 7–31.
- Orenstein DE Hamburg SP Population and pavement: population growth and land development in Israel. Populati on and Environment. 2010; 31 (4); 223–254.