Malthusian

Theory of
Population
Growth
GROUP 5
1
Thomas Robert Malthus, an
English cleric and scholar,
examined the relationship
between population growth and
resources.

2
Thomas
Robert
Malthus

3
Malthusian Theory of Population
The Malthusian Theory of Population is the
theory of exponential population and
arithmetic food supply growth. The theory was
proposed by Thomas Robert Malthus. He
believed that a balance between population
growth and food supply can be established
through preventive and positive checks.
4
 Population and Food Supply
The Malthusian theory
explained that the population
grows in a geometrical fashion.
The population would double
in 25 years at this rate.
5
 Population and Food Supply
However, the food supply grows in an
arithmetic progression. Food supply
increases at a slower rate than the
population. That is, the food supply will be
limited in a few years. The shortage of food
supply indicates an increasing population..
6
Positive or Natural Checks
MALTHUS BELIEVED THE IMBALANCE
BETWEEN POPULATION GROWTH
AND FOOD SUPPLY WOULD BE
CORRECTED BY NATURAL FORCES,
SUCH AS EARTHQUAKES AND
FLOODS. HE ALSO BELIEVED THE
IMBALANCE WOULD BE CORRECTED
BY HUMAN ACTIONS LIKE WARS AND
FAMINES.
7
Is Malthusian theory relevant to the
Philippines?
In the Philippines there is good
reason to be concerned about the
validity of Malthusian theory.
Although the country's growth rate
has been reduced from 3.01% in
1970 to 2.6%, it is still quite high.
However, the Philippines has
actually been producing sufficient
food to feed its population.