ABSTRACT
This research work was designed to find out the effects of population explosion
on Nigerian economy. In carrying out this research, the researcher visited Esan
Central Local Government Area, about questionnaires were used to collect
information for the general from the general public, and these information’s
were analyzed in form of tables. It was observed that polygamy; illiteracy,
poverty and early marriage are some of the reasons responsible for the rapid
increase in population. Also the effects have raised concerns that the planned
economy may not be able to sustain present or large number of inhabitants.
Hence, having few number of children, monogamy and improvement in the standard
of living are the solutions to the resultant effects of population explosion in
Nigeria. The following recommendations were made. The government should improve
the appalling health sector of this country; there is need for the elimination
of harmful practices such as sexual trafficking and violence against women.
Government should endeavour to provide programmes that will stress on the
continuo’s use of family planning services, women should be educated and
empowered. Finally, if the government can provide incentives for smaller
families, exponential population growth can be checked.
TABLE OF CONTENT
CHAPTER ONE
Introduction
Background to the study
Statement of the problem
Purpose of the study
Significance of the
study
Research questions
Scope of the study
Limitations of the study
Definition of terms
CHAPTER TWO
Review of related
literature
The reasons for rapid
increase in population
The effects to
continuous increase in population on Nigeria economy
Ways of resolving the
problems associated with population
CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY
Research design
Population of the study
Sample of the study
Sampling techniques
adopted
Instrumentation
Validation of instrument
Method of data
collection
Method of data analysis
CHAPTER FOUR
Data presentation,
analysis and interpretation
CHAPTER FIVE
Summary, conclusion and
recommendations
Summary
Conclusion
Recommendation
REFERENCES
APPENDIX
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND OF THE ST UDY
Population in biology is referred to as the total number of organisms of the
same species in a give habitat at a given time. In respect of human population,
population can be defined as the total number of people in a given country
(Obueh, 2006).
The size and structure of human population have been completely changed by a
number of factors including higher incomes, improved nutrition, safe and
sufficient water and sanitation, wide availability of immunization, high
effective drugs against infectious diseases, increased education and
technological development. It is therefore correct to state that the economic
growth of a nation is significantly dependent on the growth of its population.
Nigeria is one of the fastest growing countries in the world with an estimated
population of one hundred and forty million (140,000,000) and an annual
population growth rate of 2.9% (Npc, 2006).
Nigeria is the most populous nation in sub Saharan Africa and the tenth most
populous in the world. However, the composition of this population is mainly in
the youthful category with 49% being youths below the age of twenty-one (21)
and a dependency ratio estimated at 89%. A large proportion of this population
favours and is living in the rapidly expanding urban area, presently estimated
at over 45.2% and will likely hit 55.4% mark by the year 2015 (UNDP, 2007)
With this statistics however, the population dynamics shows profound inequities
and disproportions when analyzed with the development indicators, such as,
twenty-one doctors per one hundred thousand people, infant mortality rate of
122 per 1000 live births, maternal of mortality over 980 per 100,000 live
births, life expectancy at birth projected at 50. 1 years (population growth
and economic development in Nigeria, 2008)
Umeh (1996) suggested that the population of a place must be such that the
available food can sustain it for a very long time. The question of population
and population growth and the related food and growth in food population are
serious concern to nations and their leaders. This is because increased
population has direct consequence on food consumption in the most developing
countries; population growth rate is close to crisis situation.
World population statistics tell a powerful story about how people and nations
around the world are changing. The world’s population is growing substantially
every year, but the pace of growth varies dramatically from one region to
another some countries have aging population and as a result, face future
population decline while others still have young and rapidly growing
populations. Each situation is associated with its own set of social, economic,
environmental and political challenges (Obueh, 2008).
However, the world population by mid 2010 reached 6. 892 billion according to
the population reference Burea 2010 world population data sheet. Most future
population growth will be in countries that have relatively large number of
young people where large families are still the norm. Sub-Saharan Africa and
Western Asia are the fastest growing regions of the world. In contrast, much of
the industrialized world is experiencing much slower growth or even population
decline. The United States in an exception in the industrialized world, mainly
because of immigration and some what higher birth rates.
TABLE 1: The world
population by mid 2010 (Obueh, 2008)
Population |
|
World 6,892,319,000 |
More developed
countries 1,236,646,000 |
Less developed
countries 5,655,673,000 |
Births Per |
Year Day Minute |
14,184,169 384,066 207 |
14,215,211 38,946 27 |
125,968,959 345,120 240 |
Deaths Per |
Year Day Minute |
56,907,606 155,911 108 |
12,125,055 33,219 23 |
44,782,552 122,692 85 |
Natural Increase (births, death) Per |
Year Day Minute |
83,276,563 228,155 158 |
2,090,156 5,762 4 |
81.186,407 222,429 154 |
Infant Deaths Per |
Year Day Minute |
6,383,531 17,489 12 |
80,133 220 0.2 |
6,303.398 17,270 12 |
Moreso, in the very near future, the majority of the world’s population will
live in urban areas, which include towns and cities.
The population shift from rural to urban residents usually have higher
educational levels, smaller families, higher incomes, better health and longer
lives than rural residents. But the growth of urban population also strains the
capacity of many developing countries to provide basic amenities for all
residents, the prospects or public services than those in rural areas.
TABLE 2: The world’s
most populous countries in 2010 (Obueh, 2008)
Rank |
Country |
Population (millions) |
1 |
China |
1,338 |
2 |
India |
1,189 |
3 |
United States |
310 |
4 |
Indonesia |
235 |
5 |
Brazil |
193 |
6 |
Pakistan |
185 |
7 |
Bangladesh |
164 |
8 |
Nigeria |
158 |
9 |
Russia |
142 |
10 |
Japan |
127 |
Although, the 2006 march Nigeria census results released in January 2007, put
Nigeria’s population as 140.3 million.
Table 3: projected
population in 2050 (Obueh, 2008)
Rank |
Country |
Population (millions) |
1 |
India |
1,748 |
2 |
China |
1,437 |
3 |
United States |
423 |
4 |
Pakistan |
339 |
5 |
Nigeria |
326 |
6 |
Indonesia |
309 |
7 |
Bangladesh |
222 |
8 |
Brazil |
215 |
9 |
Ethiopia |
174 |
10 |
Congo, Dem. Rep |
166 |
The world’s population is projected to grow to more than a billion in 2010 from
6.892 billion now. In a few years, India’s population would surpass that of
china to become the most populous country in the world. From the data
presented, it shows that Nigeria’s population would double in 2010. This is due
to the young age structure and high fertility level causing high birth rates.
Nearly half of Nigeria’s population is below age 15 and only 3% is above age
65.
In 1998, Nigeria adopted a national population policy which seeks to reduce
population growth rate through voluntary fertility regulation and to promote
the health and welfare of mothers and children, to improve the quality of life
of all Nigerians. The main thrust of the policy is the recommendation to young
couples not to have more than four children per family (or per woman). This
could not be attained.
Despite the probable decline fertility in the 1990s, given the country’s age
structure, Nigeria’s 1990 population was expected at least to double before the
middle of the next century. Some what less than half of Nigeria’s 1990
population was younger than fifteen (15). As a result, even if population
growth were to drop immediately to a replacement arte and remain there, the 1990
population would double before stabilizing. Nigeria thus could expect to deal
with a population of more than 200 million probably within the next twenty-five
years.
These projections suggested that population growth would be an issue of central
concern for Nigeria for some time to come. Merely to remain at current per
capital levels, agricultural production, industrials and other economic out put
and provision of health and other social services would all need to double
within twenty-five years. This situation was challenged of historic proportions
for Nigeria, one faced by many other nations of Africa.
It is against this background therefore, that this study is initiated to find
out the effects or consequences of population explosion in Edo State, Nigeria.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
It has been noted that in Nigeria, most especially, parents’ interest towards
child bearing was to support more children in the society and will try to
explore all the possible ways by making sure that they encourage other parents
in supporting more children also, which has led to increased population growth.
However, the problem of population explosion is not far fetched. Nigerians are
not well educated on the need to control their birth rate and the effects it
has on them as well as the society. The government can no longer provide
adequate basic infrastructure for its citizen as a result of the explosion in
population. Unemployment is one the increase as well as crime.
In addition, marrying of many wives (polygamy) illiteracy among couples, people
attitude to family size, socio-cultural practices, early marriages and
religious beliefs are also some of the problems that can be responsible for the
explosion in population in Nigeria.
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The following constitute the purpose for which this research is carried out.
1. To examine the reasons for rapid growth in
population.
2. To know whether these continuous increase in
population has any effects on the economy.
3. To suggest some of the ways of resolving the
problems associated with population explosion.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE
STUDY
This study provides information about the reasons for the rapid population
growth. It also helps the researcher and readers to know whether socio-cultural
practices and beliefs has led parents to support more children. The study also
helps to ascertain whether population growth has effect on the economy and to
what extent it has affected the economy. It enlightens the researcher on how to
solve the problems associated with population explosion in Edo State.
Finally, this study is significant in the sense that people would become
familiar with the reasons for population study and also the derivable benefits
associated with them.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1. What are the reasons for rapid growth in
population?
2. What are the effects of the continuous increase
in population on the economy?
3. What are the solutions to the problems
associated with population explosion?
SCOPE OF THE STUDY
This research analysis is expected to cover the effects of population explosion
in Nigeria with particular reference to Esan Central local government area in
Edo State.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Population: This is the total number of organisms of the
same kind in a given habitant at a particular time.
Population growth: This is the rate at which a population is
increasing or decreasing in a given year due to natural increase and not
migration, expressed as a percentage of the base population.
Human population: This can be defined as the total number of
people in a given community at a particular time.
Explosion: A large sudden or rapid increase in the amount
or number of something.
Populous: This is where a large number of people live
(densely populated).
Data: These are facts or information especially when
examine and used to find out things or make decisions.
Effect: This is defined as a change produced by an
action or other cause.
Department | Education |
Project ID Code | EDU0066 |
Chapters | 5 Chapters |
No of Pages | 67 pages |
Methodology | Null |
Reference | YES |
Format | Microsoft Word |
Price | ₦4000, $15 |
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Contact Us On | +2349067372103 |
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