a. Distinguish between: i. Growing population and a declining population ii. overpopulation and underpopulation. b. Explain any four disadvantages of a rapi...

a. Distinctions.

i. Growing population versus declining population. A growing population is one that is increasing over time because the sum of births and immigration exceeds the sum of deaths and emigration. A declining population is one that is falling over time because the sum of deaths and emigration exceeds the sum of births and immigration.

ii. Overpopulation versus underpopulation. Overpopulation exists when a country's population is greater than the optimum, so that available resources are too few for the people and per-capita output and living standards fall. Underpopulation exists when the population is below the optimum, so that resources are under-utilised and a larger population could raise per-capita output.

b. Four disadvantages of a rapidly growing population.

• Pressure on social amenities: schools, hospitals, housing, water and roads become overstretched and inadequate for the people.
• Unemployment: the labour force grows faster than the economy can create jobs, raising the level of unemployment and underemployment.
• Low savings and investment: a high number of dependants forces households and government to spend on consumption rather than save, so capital formation is low.
• Falling standard of living: national output is shared among more people, so per-capita income and welfare fall, and food shortages may occur.