What are the consequences of overpopulation?

What is Overpopulation?
Overpopulation is an undesirable condition where the number of the existing human
population exceeds the actual carrying capacity of Earth. Overpopulation is caused by a number
of factors. Reduced mortality rate, better medical facilities, depletion of precious resources are
few of the causes which result in overpopulation. It is possible for a sparsely populated area to
become densely populated if it is not able to sustain life.
Causes of overpopulation
It took hundreds of years to reach one billion inhabitants, yet in little over two centuries this
figure multiplied sevenfold. Why? There are a series of factors that favored the spectacular
growth:

 Falling mortality rate, mainly due to medicine: the Industrial Revolution brought with it
a revolution in the world of medicine. Scientific progress allowed us, from then onward,
to overcome diseases that previously could only end in death. The invention of vaccines
and discovery of antibiotics such as penicillin saved thousands of lives and were a key
factor in unfettered population growth. As the number of annual deaths fell, while
births remained constant, so the population increased.
 Progress in food production: for its part, scientific research and technological
improvements saw more efficient agricultural production, resulting in year-round crops,
more resistant seeds, pesticides, and so on…. aspects that Malthus had not taken into
account when putting forth his catastrophic theory condemning the human race to
disappear. Improvements In fishing and livestock methods also contributed to the
provision of more food with which to nourish the population.
 Migration and urban concentration: in certain countries, the impact of migration and
accumulation of the population in cities was very important, but not only with respect
to demographic growth, but also in relation to wealth generation. Currently, over half
the global population live in cities of more than 300,000 inhabitants and which are
expected to continuing growing until they reach 70% of the population.
Effects of overpopulation
There are several direct consequences of overpopulation:

 Exhaustion of natural resources: the main effect of overpopulation is the unequal and
unrestrained use of resources. The planet has a limited capacity to generate raw
materials and each year the natural resources deficit – the consumption of resources at
a faster rate than the planet is able to generate them – is reached earlier. Consequently,
in developing countries, overpopulation causes fierce rivalries to control resources.
 Territorial conflicts over water supply are due in many cases to geopolitical tensions and
can end in war.
 Environmental degradation: unbridled use of natural resources, as well as growth in
energy production from coal, oil and natural gas (fossil fuels) is having a negative impact
on the planet. Consequences number, on the one hand, deforestation and
desertification, extinction of animal and plant species and changes in the water
cycle and the most direct consequence of all in the form of emissions of large quantities
of greenhouse gases leading to global warming.
 Rising unemployment: on the other hand, a high number of workers exist for a limited
number of vacancies and this seems destined to lead to high rates of joblessness in the
future. This in turn could provoke rising crime and social revolt.
 Rising living costs: all the above will lead, at the end of the day, to increasing living costs
in most countries. Fewer resources, less water, the packing of many people into
confined spaces and a lack of money are provoking an increase in the cost of living
whereby only a percentage of the population will be able to cover all their needs.
 Technological advances: on the positive side, high concentrations of people in urban
areas also brings with it research and development in the quest for solutions to the
population’s needs. An example is the popularization of communication technologies
and the generation, collection and use of Big Data for sustainable ends, as well as the
emergence of Smart Cities adapted to ensure good living conditions for the increasing
population.
 The depopulation of rural areas in favor of cities may, paradoxically, create major
challenges for such places. It results in a growing number of under-utilized
infrastructures, due to migration away from these rural areas, and previously
domesticated landscapes whose ecosystems deteriorate without human attention.

Solutions To Overpopulation
1. Better Education
One of the first measures is to implement policies reflecting social change. Educating the
masses helps them understand the need to have one or two children at the most.
Similarly, education plays a vital role in understanding the latest technologies that are making
huge waves in the world of computing. Families that are facing a hard life and choose to have
four or five children should be discouraged.
Family planning and efficient birth control can help in women making their own reproductive
choices. Open dialogue on abortion and voluntary sterilization should be seen when talking
about overpopulation.
 2. Education for Girl Child
Currently, over 130 million young women and girls around the globe are not enrolled in school.
The majority of these live in male-dominated societies, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and
South and West Asia, that does not give women equal right to education as men.
Entrenched gender norms and child marriage further disrupt their access to education. The girl
who receives less education is more likely to have children early and vulnerable to exploitation.
Moreover, impoverished families are less likely to enroll their female children in school.
3. Making People Aware of Family Planning
As the population of this world is growing at a rapid pace, raising awareness among people
regarding family planning and letting them know about serious after-effects of overpopulation
can help curb population growth.
One of the best ways is to let them know about various safe sex techniques and contraceptive
methods available to avoid any unwanted pregnancy.
4. Tax Benefits or Concessions
The government of various countries might have to come up with various policies related to tax
exemptions to curb overpopulation.

One of them might be to waive a certain part of income tax or lowering rates of income tax for
those married couples who have single or two children. As we humans are more inclined
towards money, this may produce some positive results.
5. Knowledge of Sex Education

Imparting sex education to young kids at the elementary level should be a must. Most parents
feel shy in discussing such things with their kids that results in their children going out and look
out for such information on the internet or discuss it with their peers.
Mostly, the information is incomplete, which results in sexually active teenagers unaware of
contraceptives and embarrassed to seek information about the same. It is, therefore, important
for parents and teachers to shed their old inhibitions and make their kids or students aware of
solid sex education.
6. Social Marketing

Social marketing has already been started by some societies to educate the public on
overpopulation effects. The intervention can be made widespread at a low cost. A variety of
print materials (flyers, brochures, fact sheets, stickers) can be distributed in places such as at
local places of worship, sporting events, local food markets, schools and at car parks.