Population growth

Population growth refers to the increase in the number of individuals in a population. It is often measured in terms of the population increase per unit time. The two main factors contributing to population growth are birth rate and death rate. The difference between the birth rate and the death rate gives the rate of natural increase (RNI).

Factors influencing population growth

Several factors influence population growth. These include:

• Birth rate: This is the number of live births per 1,000 people per year. A high birth rate contributes to a high population growth rate.

• Death rate: This is the number of deaths per 1,000 people per year. A low death rate contributes to a high population growth rate.

• Migration: This refers to the movement of people from one place to another. Migration can either increase or decrease the population of a place depending on whether it is immigration (into the place) or emigration (out of the place).

• Fertility rate: This is the average number of children a woman gives birth to during her childbearing years. A high fertility rate contributes to a high population growth rate.

• Life expectancy: This is the average number of years a person is expected to live. A high life expectancy contributes to a high population growth rate.

Effects of population growth

Population growth has several effects, both positive and negative. On the positive side, it can lead to economic growth as more people mean more labor and more consumption. On the negative side, it can lead to overpopulation, which can strain resources and lead to environmental degradation.

See also

• Demography
• Overpopulation
• Population density
• Population decline

References

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  Population growth rate 2023
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  Absolute increase in global population per year
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  Human population since 1800
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  Population curve
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  Logistic growth graph (population ecology)
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  Countries by fertility rate
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  World population (UN)
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  World population growth rate 1950–2050
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  Comparing Population Growth By Country's Development, 2002