Examination of a Global Population Issue (Essay Sample)

Examination of a Global Population Issue
An Assignment Submitted by
Name of Student
Name of Establishment
Class XXXX, Section XXXX, Winter 2014
Introduction
The world is inhabited by 7.2 billion people. The population is expected to reach 8.1 billion in 2025. Most growth is expected in the developing world especially Africa. Indian’s population will surpass China in 2018 and become the largest country by population. There will be 8.2 billion people in developing countries, but currently it stands at 5.9 billion. It is believed that by 2050, Africa’s population will double and reach 2.4 billion people. The population of other parts of the world is projected to grow by only 10 % with Europe’s population declining by 14 percent in 2100. Recently countries average family size had reduced. Countries can be classified in terms of their fertility rates. In Low-fertility nations, Women have less than 2.1 average numbers of children. They include all European except Iceland, 18 Asian countries, 17 American countries and 2 African countries. The highest low fertility nations are the United States, Brazil, Japan, Vietnam, India and the Russian Federation. In intermediate fertility, women have an average of 2.1 to 5 children. They are mainly in India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Mexico, the Philippines and Pakistan. The other 9 % of world population comprises high fertility countries where the average woman has 5 or more children. 29 countries are in Africa, Afghanistan and Timor-Leste. Despite anticipated reduction in Africa’s fertility rates, its population will be increasing (Population Reference Bureau, 2013). The factors which determine population trends will be discussed. Both positive and negative impacts of population growth will be evaluated. Agreement, treaties and agreement concerning Family planning will also be discussed.
Determinant factors influencing Population
Fertility is a main demographic determinant. Fertility is the expected number of births a woman gives in a particular society during her childbearing period. It depends on woman’s fecundity. Fecundity refers to the physiological capacity to conceive and support children. Health, cultural, economic and social factors determine reproductive adoption in a given country. The most influencing element is relationship status of women. Married women or those in relationship have a higher chance of getting pregnant. Use of contraceptives and occurrence of induced abortion also affect fertility rates. Fertility rates in developing countries are higher than in developed countries. More women from developed countries work and are inclined to marry late, (Carr, Pan & Bilsborrow, 2006). They also use abortion and contraceptives to delay childbearing. However, fertility levels have fallen since 1950s in nearly all nations except in Western and Central Africa. Ethnic and racial minorities usually have higher rates as compared to the majority. Low income families with low education normally have more children as compared with well-educated or affluent families. Rural families always have many children as compared to urban dwellers. In 2006, 21 was the average birthrate per 1000 people worldwide. Western and Northern Europe had 9 or less while 50 or more in West African countries, increasing (Population Reference Bureau, 2013).
In some countries, for example Vietnam and China, the government intensified family control. In some countries, socio-economic situation contributed to lower birthrates. Income level, delaying marriages, rising health care’s cost and education are contributing in the socio-economic scenario, (Westoff, 2006). Female education is strongly reducing fertility rates because most of the educated women tend to marry late. Education reduces fertility rates. The rising middle class in developing countries in Asia like Vietnam, China and Vietnam have seen birth rates drastically reducing (Trang & Hieu, 2011).
Mortality affects population trends. Age structure of the population influences death rates. Elderly, Infants and young children have higher death rates. Societies with this group have a higher probability of higher deaths per 1000 people. Developed countries usually have older people because of good medical services. Demographers determine life expectancy to assess life span in a given society. Life span is increasing around the world. However, a big gap between developed and developing countries exists. In 2006, some African countries had 30 s while 80 in Australia, United States, Some European Nations and Japan, (Seitz & Hite, 2012).
New health’s threats are emerging globally. HIV/AIDS pandemic, tuberculosis and malaria which are drug resistant and avian flu have an impact in many areas. Exposure to industrial pollutants in developing countries is contributing to lower life span. A good sewage system can enhance public health significantly. A health system that can identify famines and disease outbreaks is crucial. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched an immediate response to acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) which could have been an international pandemic (Anup, 2002).
Migration drives population trends. Migration’s prediction is difficult as compared to mortality or fertility. For example refugees who are fleeing a sudden war. Immigration often strains host country’s social amenities and change region’s ethnicity. On the good side, it provides both skilled and unskilled labor. Immigration leads to brain drain. Motivated and educated sections of the population migrate in search of new opportunities. The growing of metropolitan areas and large cities has encouraged rural-urban migration. Cities with 10 million or more inhabitants are called mega-cities. 426 million people lived in the first 30 megacities compared to 117 million in 1950. In 1950, 19 of the first 30 cities were located in the developed countries. However, that number had reduced to 8 in 2011. Delhi was not in the first 30 in 1950 but it is now second to Tokyo. This phenomenal growth is caused by influx of migrants to cities seeking for better life (United Nations, 2008).
The Right to Family Planning
In 1994, the international Community at the International Conference for Population (ICPD) resolved that family planning is to be avail to anyone who needs it. Governments were also required to provide conditions that support family planning. ICPD Program of Action has encouraged people to exercise their reproductive rights. Several conventions, agreements and treaties regarding reproductive rights have being signed. In 1948, Universal Declaration of Human Rights inspired customary law internationally. In 1968, Tehran Conference on Human Rights declared couples’ or individuals right to family planning. In 1995, Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action reiterated ICPD program. In 2001, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) created a target to achieve reproductive health’s access by 2015. World Health’s organization reproductive health strategy was signed in 2004 during 57TH Health Assembly. In 2011, The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women required all countries to enable women access maternal services. ICPD have transformed the perception of reproductive and sexual health. While progresses have been achieved, there is pending work to be done to achieve ICPD’s vision. International organizations, donor and developing countries’ governments will have to increase funding to realize the universal family planning access, (Westoff, 2006).
Effects of Population Growth
Positive Effects
Population growth can help a country’s economy move from being ineffective into an economy of scale. Economies of scale are the advantages that a country gets as a result of a large workforce. Output increase per labor’s unit increases the productivity of a nation. Rapid population increases population growth of a nation which constitutes both labor and market. There will be a readily available skilled and unskilled labor. A large workforce will be cheaper thus contributing to cheaper production costs of various services and goods, (Bremner, Davis, & Carr, 2012).
A rapid population growth affects transportation and communication positively. A well connected transport system will reduce both travel time and transportation cost. As the population growth, its density also increases. This will likely pressurize the government to invest more in the transport infrastructure sector such as roads, highways and railway system. In 1985, China’s population density was 110 people per km2 and railway system was 5200 km. In 2010, it was 9100 km. This indicated a 75 percent increase and its population density was 141 people per km2. This is a 28 percent increment. Good transport system stimulates economic growth (Trang & Hieu, 2011).
Technological growth is motivated by population growth. This argument is based on Simon and Boserup theories. Boserup claimed that when the population is faced with a critical event as food’s shortage, people will find a solution by enlarging workforce by use of new methods or machines. Simon showed in Simon-Steinmann model that high populations have a high technological growth level that leads to increased capita income, (Anup, 2002). A country with high population growth will automatically have high school going population. The government will be pressurized to inject more funding in the public school system. This pressure reflects the nation’s education level. Eventually this investment will have positive impacts in the future. Educational results in human capital training. This capital comprises of a superior stock of knowledge, competence, personalities and ability to generate economic value. Human capital as a producing factor in the m...