Overpopulation Case

Overpopulation is an undesirable condition where the number of existing human population exceeds the carrying capacity of Earth. Overpopulation is caused by number of factors. Reduced mortality rate and medical facilities, depletion of precious resources are few of the causes, which results in overpopulation. Countries all over the world, in South Asia and Africa in particular, are experiencing skyrocketing growth rates which bring devastating impacts. Economically and politically, these countries are undeveloped to begin with, and overpopulation only compounds the problem. Governments that have grasped the magnitude of the crisis have begun to take action. In China, for example, they instituted a one-child policy in an effort to control birth rates and encourage smaller families through various tax breaks. But for China, India, and other developing Global South countries, the problem remains, with no solution in sight. The widespread effects of overpopulation come with devastating consequences.

The quality of life is lowered significantly for people living in an overpopulated, developing country. Shelter is undoubtedly scarce and below acceptable standards, and often too expensive for a family with upwards of six children. The demand for, and lack of basic goods and services, which other people take for granted, out of reach for the majority of the population. Food is consumed faster than it can be produced. And because a traditional economy typical of a developing country is based mainly on primary industry and little on import, many people end up going hungry. According to Ian Sample- a science correspondent, an increasing population could trigger a global food crisis in the next half century. The global population has risen substantially in recent decades. Between 1980 and 2000 it rose from 4.4 billion to 6.1 billion (Sample, Ian). By 2050 the population is expected to reach 9 billion (Sample, Ian). He warned that increased competition over depleted food and resources would lead to conflict - "and the losers will inevitably be the environment and poor people" (Sample, Ian) Hunger and malnutrition kill nearly 6 million children a year, and more people are malnourished in sub-Saharan Africa this decade than in the 1990s, according to a report released by the Food and Agriculture Organization (The Independent). In sub-Saharan Africa, the number of malnourished people grew to 203.5 million people in 2000-2002 from 170.4 million 10 years earlier says The State of Food Insecurity in the World report (The Independent). In 2001, 46.4 percent of people in sub-Saharan Africa were living in extreme poverty (The Independent). While the vast majority of the population is poor and underprivileged, the government is often no better off. In an attempt to save the people from the starvation, the government will most likely have to rely on foreign debt. This puts the country in debt at stretches the government's already meager resources.