Positive Effects of Population Growth. ...

However, many
believe population growth has positive effects on societies. These include
economic benefits such as expansion of tax bases and increased consumer
spending at local businesses, as well as innovations by cultures seeking to
keep up with growing populations.

Population growth & its effect on environment. 1. ... Rising populations put increasing demands
on natural resources such as land, water, and energy supplies. • As human communities use more
resources, they generate contaminants, such as air and water pollution and greenhouse gas
emissions.

Rapid population growth leads to the environmental change. Rapid population growth has
swelled the ranks of unemployed men and women at an alarming rate. Due to this, a large number
of people are being pushed in ecologically sensitive areas such as hill sides and tropical forests.

Disadvantages: More problems with the distribution of wealth and resources. Problems with food
security as pressure on the land due to larger population increases. Increased pressure on the
forest covered area which leads to deforestation.

The advantages of population growth include increased economic development, availability of

labor and possibility of innovation. However, population growth may result in high
unemployment rates, environmental degradation, food shortage and high dependency rates.

Advantages of Population Growth

Economic Growth
The growth of population equates to increased purchases of items such as clothing, educational
material, food and other household goods. In addition, increased number of family members
encourages the movement of families into larger houses. This results in increased trade, which in
essence supports several sectors of the economy like manufacturing, agriculture, construction
and home improvement industries.

Moreover, an increased population translates to an increase in tax revenue. This enables the
government to have easy access to resources for its normal operations, security and
infrastructural development.
Availability of Labor
Population growth causes an increase in labor force. This ensures efficient utilization of
resources and optimal productivity in sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing. Availability
of labor is an essential tool for economic development.

Innovation
Population growth encourages innovations in fields such as medicine, agriculture and
production. This is because more great minds results in more innovations. In addition, population
growth has led to a greater consciousness for more industrial and agricultural productivity to
meet the demand of the large number of people. For example, the assembly line was devised as
an adaptation for the need of more industrial production.

Disadvantages of Population Growth

Environmental Degradation
Rising populations may lead to deforestation so as to create more land for human settlement and
agriculture. Deforestation greatly affects the weather cycle and may lead to climate change.

An increased population translates to more environmental pollution through release of

greenhouse gases from industrial machinery and improper waste disposal. This results in
environmental degradation and may cause loss of biodiversity and health complications.

Unemployment
In some situations, rapid increase in population may surpass the number of employment
opportunities created in the economy. This results in widespread unemployment. Unemployment
has several negative effects in the society such as increased crime rates, political instability,
reduced standards of living and a decline in economic development.

Food Shortage
Unchecked population growth without an equivalent agricultural development may lead to food
shortage. Factors such as reduced agricultural land and environmental degradation contribute to
reduced agricultural yields, hence food shortage.

Aging Dependency
Increased population growth coupled with high life expectancy rates results in an increase in the
number of aged population. This leads to high dependency rates, hence limiting economic
development.

Property Shortage
Population growth encourages rural to urban migration in search of better employment and
business opportunities. This leads to overcrowding in urban areas, resulting in shortage of
housing and other social amenities. The shortage of housing in some underdeveloped countries
led to the growth of informal settlements and slums.

In general, there's no consensus by scientists and other relevant stakeholders on what the ideal
population count in the world should be. Some individuals favor a more conservative ideal
estimate while others believe the earth could support more billions of human beings. However,
controlled population growth is essential for management of resources and the environment.