POPULATION GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

POPULATION: Population refers to the total number of people living in a

specific geographical area at a specific time.
POPULATION CENSUS: A population census refers to a process of
systematically collecting, evaluating, analyzing, publishing and disseminating
information on all persons in a country at a specific time. A population census is
usually carried out every 10 years.

IMPORTANCE OF POPULATION CENSUS

➢ It provides data on the population.
➢ It is used for planning purposes.
➢ It helps to attract investors.
➢ It is used to plan on importation of goods and services.
➢ Used to calculate the standard of living

CHARACTERISTICS OF GHANA AGE DISTRIBUTION

The characteristics of Ghana’s age distribution based on the 2021 Population and Housing Census
include the following;
1. There is a high dependency ratio as a result of the needs of the population under 17 years have to be
provided by the much smaller older population
2. Ghana’s population age structure is transitioning from one dominated by children (0-14 years) to one
dominated by young people (15-35years).
3. There are more young people in urban than rural areas.

POPULATION STRUCTURE 2021 PHC

SEX TOTAL NUMBER PERCENT

15,182,459 49.3
MALE

15,610,149 50.7
FEMALE

TOTAL 30,792,608 100

POPULATION

POPULATION GROWTH
Population growth refers to the rate at which a country’s population increases within a stated time.
Ghana’s population grew by 25% between 2000 and 2021.

Rapid Population Growth simply refers to the high and fast rate at which the population within a
stated time in a particular area. Rapid population growth is greatly influenced by the high birth rate,
immigration and low death rate.

CAUSES OF HIGH (RAPID) POPULATION GROWTH

1. The high fertility rate among females in Ghana is a major cause of high population growth in Ghana.
2. The prestige in the tradition of large family size. The traditional cultures see many children as
prestigious, wealthy and secure.
3. The practice of marrying more than one wife is a factor. (polygamy)
4. Most couples in Ghana do not use any form of contraception to control birth.
This is due to both religious and traditional beliefs.
5. Early marriage among girls in Ghana is a contributory fact. Many girls are
forced into early marriages.
6. High incidence of teenage pregnancy.
7. Low death rate as a result of the improved health care system.

Urbanization is the process by which cities or towns grow which is mostly

influenced by rural-urban migration.

EFFECTS OF RAPID POPULATION GROWTH

POSITIVE EFFECTS
1. The high birth rate provides a large and cheap labour force in the future.
2. The high population provides a growing market for manufactured predicts/

NEGATIVE EFFECTS
1. Rapid population growth brings about a high depending ratio hence a burden on one's finances.
2. It also leads to poor maternal and child health. The child and the mother may have health problems.
3. Rapid population growth leads to a shortage of food in the future
4. It leads to the development of slums in towns and cities
5. Rapid population growth leads to increased pressure on social amenities and facilities such as
hospitals, schools, etc.
6. Crimewave increases, especially in the slummy areas.

HOW TO CONTROL RAPID POPULATION GROWTH

1. Girl-child education must be encouraged among all Ghanaians. Equal
opportunities must be given to both boys and girls.
2. The use of contraception must be encouraged among couples. The government
can reduce the cost to entice people to use them.
3. The government should control illegal immigration.
4. There should be public education regularly to assist people to see the need to
reduce their family sizes and the negative effects of a large family on the
family, individuals, community, and the nation.
5. Life in rural areas must be improved through the provision of social amenities
and job opportunities.

RURAL-URBAN MIGRATION
It is the movement of people from rural areas (villages) to urban areas (towns
and cities) for livelihood. Rural-urban drift is influenced by push and pull
factors. The push factors are conditions in the villages driving the people away
from the villages to the towns and cities. On the other hand, pull factors are
conditions prevailing in the cities that attract people to seek a livelihood in the
town and cities.

CAUSES OF RURAL-URBAN MIGRATION

1. Lack of social amenities that make life comfortable pushes/drive the people
into the cities.
2. There is a lack of job opportunities in the rural areas hence the youth move to
the cities to look for greener pastures
3. People leave rural areas to run away from cruel and outmoded cultural practices such as FGM.
4. People also migrate to be able to further their education to a higher level
5. Others also move to engage in trading because of bigger markets in towns and cities.
6. Low income in rural areas. Farmers in rural areas often do not get good prices for their farm produce.

EFFECTS OF RURAL-URBAN MIGRATION

1. Rural-urban migration leads to pressure on existing social amenities such as schools, and toilets in
the towns and cities
2. It brings about the disintegration of the family as a unit
3. Additionally, it leads to poor parental control in the villages since fathers leave
the villages to seek jobs in towns.
4. Unemployment increases in urban centres because of overpopulation in the
cities.
5. It also leads to the development of slums mostly in towns and cities.

SOCIAL PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH RURAL-URBAN DRIFT

1. The high rate of unemployment
2. Broken homes
3. Streetism
4. Increase in a crime wave
5. High poverty
6. Environmental pollution
7. Prostitution
8. Pressure on social amenities
9. The high rate of substances or narcotics such as marijuana
10. Increase in teenage pregnancy (early motherhood)
11. Development of slums

HOW TO REDUCE RURAL-URBAN MIGRATION

1. Agriculture must be modernized through the introduction and use of
modern tools, equipment, and machines such as tractors, and combine
harvesters.
2. Social amenities such as schools, hospitals, and electricity among others
must be provided in rural areas.
3. Agro-based industries such as processing factories should be established in rural areas to provide
employment opportunities to the youth.
4. A cultural practice that infringes or violate people’s right and freedoms
must be established. E.g., Trokosi, cruel widowhood rites
5. Ready market and good pricing must be provided for farm produce.
6. High educational institutions such as secondary schools or polytechnics
should be situated close to rural areas or villages in the country.