UNDERPOPULATION, Underpopulation may be defined as the type of population that is less than the available resources of a country.
Underpopulation refers to a situation where the population of a particular region or country is declining or is below the replacement level required to sustain a stable population. It is the opposite of overpopulation, which refers to a situation where the population exceeds the available resources and infrastructure.
Underpopulation can have several causes, including:
Low birth rates: When the birth rate falls below the replacement level, which is typically considered to be around 2.1 children per woman, the population starts to decline over time. Factors such as changing social norms increased access to contraception, and a focus on career and individual goals can contribute to lower birth rates.
Ageing population: As birth rates decline and life expectancy increases, populations can experience an increase in the proportion of elderly individuals. This demographic shift can lead to a decline in the overall population if the number of births is not sufficient to offset the number of deaths.
Outmigration: When a region experiences significant outmigration, where more people leave the area than move in, it can contribute to underpopulation. Economic factors, lack of job opportunities, political instability, or better prospects elsewhere can lead people to migrate from one place to another, resulting in a decline in population.
The consequences of underpopulation can be both positive and negative:
Positive consequences:
Lower pressure on resources: With a smaller population, there is less strain on natural resources, infrastructure, and public services.
Higher living standards: With a smaller population, there may be a higher per capita income and a higher quality of life for individuals.
Less environmental impact: A smaller population can lead to reduced pollution and a smaller ecological footprint.
Negative consequences:
Economic challenges: Underpopulation can lead to a shrinking workforce and a decline in productivity, which can have negative effects on economic growth.
The strain on social systems: An ageing population can put pressure on social welfare systems and healthcare services, as there are fewer working-age individuals to support the elderly.
A decline in cultural vitality: A shrinking population can lead to a decline in cultural diversity and vitality, as there are fewer individuals to sustain and contribute to cultural traditions.
It then that the size of the population is so small that when combined with the available resources of the country and given the level of existing technology, it will secure minimum returns per
In summary, under-population is a situation where the population is too small relative to the available resources.
The standard ring of the area can be increased if the population is increased
Causes of underpopulation
- A decrease in birth rate A. decrease in the birth rate in any country for whatever reason generally leads to underpopulation.
- An increase in death rate: An increase in the death rate of the people in any country for whatever reason, be it war, diseases, old age, flood or famine, also leads to under-population.
- High level of emigration: When the rate at which people leave a country (emigration) is higher than that at which people come in (immigration), underpopulation is bound to occur.
Advantages of under-population
- Abundant resources: There will be an abundance of resources in areas where there are resources endowments.
- Availability of employment: Due to the small size of the population and abundance of resources, employment
- opportunities will readily be available.
- Low pressure on social amenities: Owing to low population, there is also low pressure on social amenities in the area.
- Low congestion: Also, due to the low population, there will be low or no congestion in housing and traffic. Adequate planning: Owing to the low population, these areas are properly planned for decent living.
- Low crime rate: The rate of armed robberies, car snatching, etc is greatly reduced.
Implications or disadvantages of underpopulation
- Inadequate labour force: The available labour force is grossly inadequate to manage the abundant resources available in the state.
- Low level of production: As a result of the low level of manpower available production is generally very low.
- Low savings and investments: Workers generally earn low as a result of low level of production income and this leads to low savings and investments.
- Low standard of living: Due to an inadequate labour force that would have promoted output, the standard of living will eventually fall.
- Under-utilization of infrastructure: Pipe-borne water is electricity are grossly underutilized.
- Disincentive to government: Government does not always feel like investing in places of under-population.
- The small size of the market: As a result of the low level of income per capita and fewer people, the size of the market is usually very small due to low demand.
- Low level of export: As a result of the low output of goods and services, there is always a low level of export for these goods and services.
- 153. FUNGAL DISEASES
- PROTOZOAN DISEASES
155. TRYPONOSOMIASIS
159. TAPE WORM
160. ROUND WORM OF PIGS
161. LIVER FLUKE
162. ECTO PARASITES
163. TICK
———————————————————————————————-
