Population growth has adverse effects on economic development. The main effects of overgrowth in population are
Effects of population growth in economic development of India
Population
growth has adverse effects on economic development. The main effects of
overgrowth in population are -
1. Population growth
reduces savings: Overgrowth of population has an adverse
effect on savings. The proportion of non-working age groups would be more than
those of working age group. Overgrowth of population retards capital formation.
Increase in consumption results in low savings. This effects the economic
development of the country.
2. Population growth
increases unproductive investment: Overgrowth of
population increases social overhead cost or infrastructure cost. The
composition of investment is altered in an unproductive direction. Absence of
investment on consumption goods retards economic growth. What is required is
more investment in consumption goods rather than producer goods.
3. Population growth
slows down the growth of per capita income: Per capita
income is the ratio of national income to the population. If a growing
population consists of more unproductive members then the productivity and
hence national income decreases. Decreasing national income coupled with
increasing population would drastically reduce the per capita income of the
country.
4. Population growth
degrades the environment: High birth rate and low death
rates
puts pressure on land, soil and food production. Overgrowth of population
damages the scarce natural resources. Environmental problems such as air
pollution, soil pollution and excessive use of ground water poses threat to
life and society. Thus, overgrowth of population has an adverse effect on the
environment.
5. Population growth
results into under utilization of labour: Growing
population adds to the problem of under utilization of labour. In a developing
economy, rapid growth of population prevents change in the occupational
distribution. Absence of complementary resources and ineffective man power
handling and decrease in job opportunities result into underutilization of
labour force.
6. Population growth
gives continuous pressure on land: Land is a natural
resource. Eventhough it is renewable, it is fixed in physical terms. Rapid
growth of population puts enormous pressure on the prudent utilization of land.
In a predominantly agrarian economy excessive pressure on land will have an
adverse effect on .its productivity. This will have a direct impact on national
income. Hence, overgrowth of population reduces the productivity of land as a
natural resource.
7. Population growth
has an adverse effect on the quality of human resources:
Modern economists are of the opinion that the quality of human resources plays
a vital role in the economic development of the country. Overgrowth of
population dilutes this important characteristic of human population. Any
dilution in the quality of the human resources will have adverse impact in
productivity. Thus, quality of the human resources is vital for the economic
development of a nation.
Geography of India : Tag: Geography of India : - Effects of population growth in economic development of India