Geography [3 Mark Question Answer]

Overpopulation usually has an adverse effect on the environment, the economy and the quality of life that people lead. A larger population consumes more natural resources such as fresh water, arable land and mineral resources. As more land is brought under cultivation, the amount of land under forests keeps reducing, impacting the diverse animal and plant populations in these forests. Increases mining for minerals causes further environmental damage. As more factories are set up to meet the needs of the people, more fossil fuels are used and more pollutants are released into the environment.

The are various factors that affect the population of a place such as birth rate, death rate, immigration, emigration, influx of refugees, agricultural development, urbanization, education, topography and climate of a place, employment opportunities, etc, In developed countries, due to improvements in medical facilities, the death rates have reduced and the lifespan of the people have increased resulting in increase in population.

In developing countries of the world, rapid increase in population was due to :

1. Modern medical techniques which increased the lifespan of the people.
2. Ignorance of the masses.
3. Traditional beliefs, customs and outlook of people.

In the developed countries of the world, the population increased earlier due to :

1. Economic growth and prosperity as a result of industrialization.
2. Improved medical techniques and health care facilities.
3. Immigration because of better job opportunities and better living conditions.