OPTIMUM POPULATION AND
POPULATION EXPLOSION
Unit 1
OPTIMUM POPULATION
Optimum population has been defined as that size
of population enabling per capita output of the
maximum orders accompanied by the highest
possible standards of living under a given set of
economic and technological conditions. Therefore,
optimum population lies between two extremes,
i.e., overpopulation and under-population.
OPTIMUM POPULATION
Optimum population is a situation where
the number of individuals can be
accommodated in an area to the maximum
advantage of each individual.
OPTIMUM POPULATION
Optimum population yields highest quality
of life, which means each person has
access to adequate food, water, energy and
air of highest quality, adequate medical
care, recreational facilities and cultural
outlets.
UNDER POPULATION
If the actual population in a country is less
than the optimum or ideal population,
there will not be enough people to exploit
all the resources of the country fully. Thus,
the population and the per capita income
will be lower.
OVER POPULATION
If the actual population is above the level of
optimum population, there will be too
many people to work efficiently and
produce the maximum goods and the
highest per capita income. As a result, the
per capita income becomes poorer than
before.
POPULATION EXPLOSION
Population explosion refers to the rapid
and dramatic rise in world population that
has occurred over the last few hundred
years. Between 1959 and 2000, the world’s
population increased from 2.5 billion to 6.1
billion people.
POPULATION EXPLOSION
increases in food production and distribution
Improvement in public health (water & sanitation)
Medical technology (vaccines and antibiotics)
Education