the consequences of overpopulation essay

Overpopulation Essay

500 words essay on overpopulation.

Overpopulation refers to an undesirable condition in which the number of existing human being exceeds the actual carrying capacity of the earth. It has many causes which range from a decline in the death rate to early marriages and more. The overpopulation essay will throw light on this issue.

Ill-Effects of Overpopulation

The ill-effects of overpopulation are quite severe. The first one is that natural resources deplete at a faster level. Our planet can produce only a limited amount of water and food . Thus, overpopulation causes environmental damage including deforestation, pollution, etc.

Similarly, there is the degradation of the environment which happens because of the overuse of resources like coal, oil, natural gases and more. As a result, the quality of air also gets affected in this manner.

In developing countries, overpopulation puts a strain on resources. Thus, it gives rise to conflicts and tension. It also causes more diseases that become harder to control. Next up, we have the issue of unemployment.

Moreover, it rises due to overpopulation. There is more number of people than job opportunities. As a result, unemployment gives rise to crimes like theft and more. We also have pandemics and epidemics which happen due to overpopulation.

It is because overcrowded and unhygienic living gives rise to infectious diseases . Another ill-effect is malnutrition and starvation. When there are scarce resources, these diseases will likely to be on the rise.

Most importantly, we have a shortage of water which makes it tougher for people to get access to clean water. Similarly, lower life expectancy also happens because of the boom in population, especially in less-developed nations.

We also witness faster climate change as nations continue to develop their industrial capacities. Thus, they emit industrial waste which gives rise to global temperatures . It will keep getting worse if things are not checked immediately.

Solutions of Overpopulation

There are many solutions which we may take up to prevent overpopulation. The best measure is family planning to keep the overpopulation check. In order to do that, one can ensure proper spacing between the births of the children.

Further, limiting the number of children as per income and resources must also be important. Similarly, it is essential to increase resources. The government must make the horrors of overpopulation reach the public through the use of media.

Moreover, better education can help implement social change which can curb overpopulation. Next up, knowledge of sex education must be made mandatory in schools so students learn young about everything they need to know.

Most importantly, it is essential to empower women so they can break out of poverty. This way, they can learn about reproductive health and make better decisions. Another solution can be government incentives.

Many governments of countries already have various policies which relate to tax exemptions for curbing overpopulation. For instance, some waive a certain part of income tax for married couples with one or two children.

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Conclusion of Overpopulation Essay

All in all, overpopulation is no less than a curse that poses a permanent threat to the development of any country. It is essential to stop the flood of population. In order to do that, one must indulge in proper family planning and creating balance in society for a better world.

FAQ of Overpopulation Essay

Question 1: What is the main cause of overpopulation?

Answer 1: It is believed that the main cause of overpopulation is poverty. When there is a lack of education resource which coupled with high death rates, it results in impoverished areas witnessing large booms in population.

Question 2: How is overpopulation affecting the world?

Answer 2: Overpopulation is affecting the world as it is outpacing the ability of the planet earth to support it. It also has environmental and economic outcomes which range from the impacts of over-farming on global warming.

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The Effects of Overpopulation

Global problems affect the life not only of certain individuals but the society in general. One of the global dilemmas that can consequently lead to the severe outcome is overpopulation. The major purpose of the paper is to discuss the problem of overpopulation, highlight the risks and environmental problems, as well as make an accent on the ways of regulation this issue.

As a matter of fact, overpopulation is a modern ecological problem. According to the recent researches, the number of people increases every year with tremendous speed. In 1900, the population reached the point of 1,5 billion of people whereas by 1960 the population has already doubled. Moreover, by 1999, the population doubled again (Pettorelli 543).

Every person consumes a lot of resources, and overpopulation is considered to be a threat. The only solution is birth control and improvement of the quality of life. The human overpopulation takes place in those countries where the population is bigger than food and water resources.

However, birth control encounters many obstacles. Among them are the following, namely negative reaction of the society, the enormous role of religion that encourages having many children, primitive communal forms of living, illiteracy and ignorance, poor development of medicine, and other. Thus, the countries of the third world are the most vulnerable in relation to the overpopulation.

Environmental problem, overpopulation, and underdevelopment are directly linked to a possible threat of lack of the resources in the nearest future. The majority of countries that experience a rapid increase in population have poorly developed agricultural segment.

The solution is to boost the productivity. However, the increase in usage of fertilizers, pesticides, and chemicals leads to a deterioration of the ecological situation and increasing concentrations of substances that are harmful to human food (Coallier 61). The interference of a human being into ecology leads to the lack of water that is good for drinking. In case people do not address the issue, a number of questions will arise, namely:

• Landfills and pollution of the surface of the planet;
• The destruction of the forests;
• Shortage of mineral resources;
• Hazardous impact on the marine ecosystem;
• Air and water pollution with CO2 emissions (Bourne 375).

The only solution that will mitigate the impact of the over population is the birth control programs. The demographic situation in the Eastern World has already reached the point when the government found it essential to interfere. In the number of states, the measures directed to the reduction of the population were vital for implementation. One of the examples is China, which established the principle one child for one family.

The objective of the government was to control overpopulation. The average number of children who were born in China from one woman decreased from about 5 to 1 (Coallier 83). Thus, the restriction policy was successful, and the government reached the goal. The government encourages families to have one child; however, with the birth of the second baby, the family will be liable to pay a fee.

Throughout the history, the number of people was always controlled by wars and epidemics. Every time the number of people decreased, the society experienced rapid development. Nevertheless, nowadays, the society has already gained a significant experience that can be used in the treatment of different diseases. Thus, there are almost no factors that would significantly decrease the number of people.

In conclusion, it should be stressed that the situation regarding the overpopulation demands the solution. The issue should receive the priority not only on the governmental but global levels as well. Overpopulation can lead to severe consequences and become the reason for the destruction of the planet and humanity.

Works Cited

Bourne, Debra. “Overpopulation.” Companion Animal 20.7 (2015): 373-381. Web. 24 Apr. 2016.

Coallier, Julien. Overpopulation Revisited a Global Perspective . Hillsborough: Lulu, 2015. Print.

Pettorelli, Nathalie. “Climate Change as a Main Driver of Ecological Research.” Journal of Applied Ecology 49.3 (2012): 542-545. Web. 24 Apr. 2016.

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Overpopulation: Cause and Effect

Conversations about overpopulation can quickly become controversial because they beg the question: Who exactly is the cause of the problem and what, if anything, should be done about it? Many population experts worry discussions around overpopulation will be abused by small-minded people to suggest some are the “right people” to be on the planet (like themselves), and some people are “the wrong people” (usually people in poverty, people of color, foreigners, and so on—you get the drift). But there are no “right” or “wrong” people on the planet, and discussing the problems of global overpopulation can never be an excuse, or in any way provide a platform, for having that type of conversation.

Each human being has a legitimate claim on a sufficient and fair amount of Earth’s resources. But with a population approaching 8 billion, even if everyone adopted a relatively low material standard of living like the one currently found in Papua New Guinea , it would still push Earth to its ecological breaking point. Unfortunately, the “average person” on Earth consumes at a rate over 50% above a sustainable level. Incredibly, the average person in the United States uses almost five times more than the sustainable yield of the planet.

When we use the term “overpopulation,” we specifically mean a situation in which the Earth cannot regenerate the resources used by the world’s population each year. Experts say this has been the case every year since 1970, with each successive year becoming more and more damaging. To help temper this wildly unsustainable situation, we need to understand what’s contributing to overpopulation and overconsumption and how these trends are affecting everything from climate change to sociopolitical unrest.

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The causes of overpopulation.

Today the Earth is home to over 8 billion people. By 2100 the population is on track to hit 10.8 billion , according to the United Nations — and that’s assuming steady fertility declines in many countries. Interestingly, if extra progress is made in women’s reproductive self-determination, and fertility falls more than the United Nations assumes is likely, the population in 2100 might be a relatively smaller 7.3 billion.

For now, the world’s population is still increasing in huge annual increments (about 80 million per year), and our supply of vital non-renewable resources are being exhausted. Many factors contribute to these unsustainable trends , including falling mortality rates, underutilized contraception, and a lack of education for girls.

Falling Mortality Rate

The primary (and perhaps most obvious) cause of population growth is an imbalance between births and deaths. The infant mortality rate has decreased globally, with 4.1 million infant deaths in 2017 compared to 8.8 million in 1990, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This is welcome public health news, of course.

At the same time, lifespans are increasing around the world. Those of us who are alive today will likely live much longer than most of our ancestors. Global average life expectancy has more than doubled since 1900 , thanks to advancements in medicine, technology, and general hygiene. Falling mortality rates are certainly nothing to complain about either, but widespread longevity does contribute to the mathematics of increasing population numbers.

Underutilized Contraception 

The global fertility rate has fallen steadily over the years, down from an average of 5 children per woman in 1950 to 2.4 children per woman today, according to the UN Population Division . Along with that promising trend, contraceptive use has slowly but steadily increased globally, rising from 54% in 1990 to 57.4% in 2015. Yet, on the whole, contraceptive use is still underutilized. For example, according to the WHO, an estimated 214 million women in developing countries who want to avoid pregnancy are not using modern contraceptives.

These women aren’t using contraceptives for a variety of reasons, including social norms or religious beliefs that discourage birth control, misconceptions about adverse side effects, and a lack of agency for women to make decisions around sex and family planning. An estimated 44% of pregnancies were unintended worldwide between 2010-2014. Getting more women the access and agency to utilize family planning methods could go a long way in flattening the population curve.

Lack of Female Education    

Although female access to education has increased over the years, the gender gap remains. Roughly 130 million girls worldwide are out of school currently, and an estimated 15 million girls of primary school age will never   learn to read and write, compared with 10 million boys.

Increasing and encouraging education among women and girls can have a number of positive ripple effects, including delayed childbearing , healthier children, and an increase in workforce participation. Plenty of evidence suggests a negative correlation between female education and fertility rates.

If increased female education can delay or decrease fertility and provide girls with opportunities beyond an early marriage, it could also help to mitigate current population trends. 

The Effects of Overpopulation

It is only logical that an increase in the world’s population will cause additional strains on resources. More people means an increased demand for food, water, housing, energy, healthcare, transportation, and more. And all that consumption contributes to ecological degradation, increased conflicts, and a higher risk of large-scale disasters like pandemics.  

Ecological Degradation 

An increase in population will inevitably create pressures leading to more deforestation, decreased biodiversity, and spikes in pollution and emissions, which will exacerbate climate change . Ultimately, unless we take action to help minimize further population growth heading into the remainder of this century, many scientists believe the additional stress on the planet will lead to ecological disruption and collapse so severe it threatens the viability of life on Earth as we know it. 

Each spike in the global population has a measurable impact on the planet’s health. According to estimates in a study by Wynes and Nicholas (2017) , a family having one fewer child could reduce emissions by 58.6 tonnes CO2-equivalent per year in developed countries.

Increased Conflicts 

The scarcity brought about by environmental disruption and overpopulation has the potential to trigger an increase in violence and political unrest. We’re already seeing wars fought over water, land, and energy resources in the Middle East and other regions, and the turmoil is likely to increase as the global population grows even larger.

Higher Risk of Disasters and Pandemics 

Many of the recent novel pathogens that have devastated humans around the world, including COVID-19, Zika virus, Ebola, and West Nile virus, originated in animals or insects before passing to humans. Part of the reason the world is entering “ a period of increased outbreak activity ” is because humans are destroying wildlife habitats and coming into contact with wild animals on a more regular basis. Now that we’re in the midst of a pandemic, it has become clear how difficult it is to social distance in a world occupied by nearly 8 billion people.   

Discover the real causes and effects of overpopulation

What can be done about overpopulation.

When addressing overpopulation, it’s crucial to take an approach of providing empowerment while mobilizing against anybody advocating for the use of coercion or violence to solve our problems. The combined efforts of spreading knowledge about family planning, increasing agency among women , and debunking widely held myths about contraception will measurably change the trajectory of the world’s population.

As we carry out our work at Population Media Center (PMC), we see first-hand that spreading awareness about family planning methods and the ecological and economic benefits of having smaller families can change reproductive behavior. For example, listeners of our Burundian radio show Agashi (“Hey! Look Again!”) were 1.7 times more likely than non-listeners to confirm that they were willing to negotiate condom use with a sexual partner and 1.8 times more likely than non-listeners to say that they generally approve of family planning for limiting the number of children.

CELEBRATING EARTH DAY WITH CONVERSATIONS ON OVERPOPULATION

In the spirit of Earth Day, it’s crucial to approach discussions about overpopulation with sensitivity and inclusivity. Overpopulation conversations should focus on the collective responsibility to steward Earth’s resources sustainably, rather than assigning blame or dividing communities. By fostering understanding and promoting access to education and reproductive health services, we can work towards a more equitable and sustainable future for all.

At PMC we harness the power of storytelling to empower listeners to live healthier and more prosperous lives, which in turn contributes to stabilizing the global population so that people can live sustainably with the world’s renewable resources. Discover how PMC is taking action against overpopulation today!

We’re Focused on Making an Impact. Learn More About Our Work.

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What lies ahead after the world’s population reaches 8 billion , how does overpopulation affect the economy, join us in promoting the equitable, sustainable world we’re all fighting for, one action at a time..

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Overpopulation: Causes, Effects and Consequences Essay

1. introduction.

The world population is increasing at an alarming rate, particularly in developing countries. Although this growth has presented enormous benefits to humanity - especially as far as advances in health, technology, and welfare are concerned - it continues to present dramatic problems in many regions of the world. These problems are not only environmental but also social and economic and will undoubtedly intensify in line with continued population growth. In light of these issues, the essay will provide an overview of the issue of overpopulation and suggest some solutions. By providing a description of overpopulation and through the use of independently resourced data, this essay will provide evidence demonstrating how widespread the problem is and offer solutions as to how overpopulation may be remedied. This essay will not only break down the issues of overpopulation, it will also provide evidence supporting the arguments and demonstrate that overpopulation is not a myth that was created by working-class people in the fifties as a way of keeping people controlled and in "their place". Rather, this essay will show that overconsumption and rapid population growth in key areas are more likely to contribute to permanent environmental damage. Overall, the purpose of the essay is to give a comprehensive overview of the issues of overpopulation, looking at the evidence in terms of environmental, resource, and social challenges that it provides.

1.1 Background

The population of the world has now passed the six billion mark. The reasons are crystal clear. This problem is increasing year after year, and there is no viable end to it. The current human population growth is something unprecedented in the history of the world. If we look back to the history of human population growth, deaths and birth rates have always been able to balance each other and maintain a population growth rate that is sustainable. And now, those same dynamics have been outpaced by an overall increase in birth rates. Today in the modern world of technology, medical science, and public health, so many problems have been answered and so many diseases have been cured, but has there been a meaningful global drop in human death rates. In the underdeveloped and developing parts of the world, caused by many different factors such as medical advancement, education and research planning, education, and so on. In these countries, families tend to have from 5 to 10 children. Because men hope for boys to work and earn money. Whenever these views do change and there is education advice on family planning and birth control, just a few years later, the population starts to stabilize. Cal Thomas, a syndicated columnist and Fox News contributor, recently made a point about worldwide famines. He speaks as if famines in underdeveloped countries are just as much of a problem as overpopulation itself. His statement was something as simple as a cause and effect, that overpopulation is fueling the famine. He went on to write, "Wars over resources will be diminished when there is a reasonable balance between population and the available resources." But there are many critics who have opposite opinions. He said Thomas Malthus, who lived in the 18th century, made a major prediction like the human race would come to an end because the population has increased too much. He said that as the population would increase, there would be a larger demand for food and so in return famines would take the world to the end. His theory was plausible and it seemed to have evidence in support of his argument. But as the years go by and the theory has been studied, it shows that a major new conclusion has been found. First world countries with high rates of population are now increasing, whereas third world high population countries are stabilizing. This could be due to the fact that people in the first world are completely ignorant of the fact and they do not know the true reason for the problem of overpopulation. But one view is that by educating the world to the plight of people in these countries and funding major birth control projects, there could be an even steady decrease in population in all countries. Because birth rates have dropped in so many countries, and the world population is increasing at more than 90 million per year. If this disease is added up, it equals to the population of America. The world population is all growing by 60,000 people per hour and is affecting our environment in immeasurable ways.

1.2 Purpose of the essay

This essay will strive to produce an accurate and comprehensive analysis of overpopulation. It aims to identify the main causes of this global problem and certify the outcomes of this demographic shift. To this end, this piece of writing has three main objectives: to investigate the main reasons why overpopulation occurs, to consider the magnitude of the effects of these causes, and to finally find any solutions. The essay will begin with the potential factors that give rise to this demographic situation such as the high fertility rates and unsustainable water consumption. Then, depopulation policies and the one-child policy will be comparably presented in the main analysis to highlight one of the major challenges; that is the conflict between the exponential growth in population and the slowdown of economic growth. The magnitude of the effects of overpopulation will be presented, comparing urban areas to the characteristically rural areas. Also, there will be a consideration of the implications of overpopulation on a global scale. To enhance the consequential nature of the essay nowadays, the author intends to highlight the severity of the impediment of technology to the transmission of knowledge. Also, the implications of potential political inactivity in the midst of such a pressing global issue will also be mentioned.

2. Causes of Overpopulation

First and foremost, one of the main reasons why overpopulation has become such a problem is that many people do not have access to family planning. This means that people are not able to have the choice of when to have children, and this can lead to large families. Also, many of the world's LEDCs (Less Economically Developed Countries) do not have access to healthcare. This means that the birth rate is very high, and that the death rate is low. In more economically developed countries, the situation is different. People have lower birth rates and a longer life expectancy. This is for a number of reasons. One of these reasons is that families do not feel that they need to have as many children as they can have now become more 'costly'. That is to say that educating and looking after a child that lives in the UK or US generally costs a lot of money. And so, since education and living costs are rising in more economically developed countries, it means that families are becoming less inclined to have lots of children. Also, due to advances in healthcare, people can mechanize and farm better, meaning fewer workers are needed in the secondary sector. This can mean fewer larger families needed, helping to reduce the birth rate. And it can also mean that people generally can lead a better life. For example, in the UK, medication is certain to be available on the NHS (National Health Service) which provides free healthcare. This will increase people's life expectancy.

2.1 High birth rates

High birth rates are one of the main causes of overpopulation. When a country has a high birth rate, it has a large number of young people. Not only are these young people a drain on resources because they are not working, but they also will have children of their own. This means that the number of people in the country will continue to rise. Some countries have a high birth rate because people think that children will look after them in their old age. Also, in some LEDCs, having a large number of children is seen as a sign of status and wealth, especially in rural areas, where many people work on the land. These cultural and social factors can help to increase the birth rate. In addition, in some countries, women have little or no family planning information or access to contraception, which can lead to a higher birth rate. In many cases, high birth rates are due to lack of education and poverty. Many people do not know that birth rate can be controlled, and have many children in the hope that some will survive; all of these children then add to the population. Cultures such as the Amish in the USA encourage large families, leading to high birth rates. However, in contrast, over the past 50 years the birth rate in the UK has fallen. This may be due to the increased availability of contraception and abortion procedures. Also, as society has changed, many people now have different priorities, such as careers and living in a more modernized world. As a result, in the UK, the government now feels that controlling the low birth rate should be a priority. Overall, the rising birth rate and the falling death rate are the main reasons for global population growth. On the one hand, high birth rate is main problem of overpopulation, due to the lack of family planning, poverty and uneducation. On the other hand, as the essay will discuss in the next few paragraphs, improved healthcare is the most important cause of overpopulation.

2.2 Lack of family planning

Lack of family planning not only leads to high birth rates, but also prevents women from education and job opportunities. Women in many overpopulated countries have no right to make decisions in their families and are without proper education. This is because most cultures in the world are "patriarchal" - men lead family and determine the family size. Women, in certain cases, are forced to have babies and many cannot refuse to bear a child. In addition, lack of access to the necessary birth control measures also leads to situations in which women have no choice other than abortion if they become pregnant unexpectedly. This directly results in high birth rate and also wastage of social resources. Overall, lack of family planning is the key factor to overpopulation. Because of the above reasons, it is necessary to promote with family planning, gender equality and to empower women for making their own decisions. These will not only help to control birth rate, but also enhance the quality of life of the current generation as the resources are distributed reasonably. It could also smooth the process of urbanization and reduce the gap between the rich and the poor. With a smaller population size and the same volume of resource, national income and standard of living will increase as resources are less depleted and exhausted. On the other hand, people would live in a "better" environment as less pollution will be made and less exploitation of natural resources, for example, logging and industrialization.

2.3 Improved healthcare

A key factor contributing to the continued growth of the global population is the impact of improved healthcare. As healthcare provision improved from the 18th century onwards, the death rate declined and this trend continues today. By the middle of the 20th century, the global population began to increase rapidly. Birth rates remained high and in many countries, the declining death rate was accelerated by the introduction of new medical treatments and technological advances. For example, the green revolution in the late 1960s was a major turning point. It involved the development and introduction of high-yielding varieties of staple food crops, expansion of irrigation infrastructure, modernization of management techniques and distribution of hybridized seeds and fertilizers. As a result, food production improved and famines were largely eliminated. Many countries began to see dramatic improvements in life expectancy, particularly in the fight against major diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. Although fertility rates initially remained high in some nations, the improved healthcare and subsequent rapid population growth began to show signs of a move towards an industrialized and wealthier society. For example, in stage 3 of the demographic transition model, birth rates start to fall and continue to do so until the population rate becomes stable. This coincides with the introduction of family planning and the new role of women in society, both of which are discussed later in this essay. All of the countries in Europe completed their demographic transition over a hundred years ago and now have stable populations. This suggests that if the same demographic transition occurs in modern day LEDCs, and population growth begins to slow down accordingly, their standard of living could also improve as it did in Europe. However, there is a growing concern in many countries that are in the process of transition that an ageing population may start to occur. As life expectancy continues to increase and birth rates fall, a larger proportion of people in the population are older. The impact is an increase in the dependency ratio, as there are less people of working age to support the economically dependent part of the population - the elderly. This can place significant pressure on the healthcare system and social services. For example, Japan has the largest proportion of older people of any country in the world. The Japanese government are having to consider plans to increase the retirement age and develop new healthcare facilities and services. This is a significant challenge for the Japanese as they rely heavily on technological and advanced medicine to sustain the aging population. It is also interesting to consider the global health implications and potential narratives between the causes and impacts of overpopulation. For example, the continued growth of globally leading countries such as China and India could secure a shift in global healthcare priorities and research, and a corresponding decline in the resources made available to tackle the health crises facing LEDCs. On the other hand, multiple factors such as war, political instability, societal collapse, famine and displacement of people from their native countries, resulting in significant pressure on healthcare and social systems. It is clear that the complex interactions between overpopulation and healthcare require careful and balanced research, discussion and problem solving.

2.4 Poverty and lack of education

In addition to high birth rates and lack of family planning, the causes of overpopulation include poverty and lack of education. Poverty is a natural result of overpopulation and population pressure. In the developing world, overpopulation is considered to be one of the most serious problems. Many policies have been developed to deal with this issue, such as the Millennium Development Goals, in an attempt to decrease the impact of overpopulation. It is clear that the way resources are distributed and the level of wealth in a given environment impacts the standard of living in a big way. It can be observed that developed countries, where the educational and economic opportunities are relatively better, experience a slowing of the population growth rate. However, this is not the case in cultures and regions where levels of prosperity and access to education are low. It is also found that people in poverty are even having more children and larger families. There are countless children in the world that never see the inside of a school or find themselves having to work the majority of their young lives in order to help provide for the family. It is estimated that in the sub-Saharan region of Africa, the rural-urban migration is increasing at an astonishing rate. This trend is putting a lot of pressure on the resources of major cities and also contributes to overpopulation and the expansion of slums. This is actually quite visible if one was to take Kenya, where the overpopulation has led to a lot of high density, low income settlement being built on the outskirts of the capital, Nairobi. The reason poverty is the main cause of overpopulation is because people in poverty are not able to properly manage their resources. Many individuals and families experience a lack of food and do not have proper nutrition, health and good living standards which are the conditions necessary for a healthy life. This is particularly the case in the sponsor countries in Latin America and Africa region. In some of the Latin American countries such as Bolivia, Colombia and El Salvador, many do not have access to education. As a result, this puts much strain on those countries' efforts in improving health. The lack of education among rural regions of Africa and overcrowding in schools in urban areas have significantly reduced the effectiveness of programs that are put in place to help. By contrast, in developed urban areas such as the UK and the United States, where the standard of living is relatively better, smaller families are encouraged due to the educational and economic opportunities that are available. Bongaarts published that education affects the distribution of income, number of meals, access to health, age of marriage for females and methods of family planning. All these benefit the family and the use of contraceptives would lead to total fertility rate to drop. This can be observed in those involved in NGO activities in Africa and South Asia. The decrease of fertility among women can be directly linked to those who do not have the knowledge or money to start a family, therefore the later part of this essay has considered different methods and policies that have been put in place to control overpopulation.

3. Effects of Overpopulation

One of the most immediate effects of overpopulation is a strain on resources. This is particularly the case for developing countries, where the high populations are putting pressure on the natural resources. A rapidly growing city, if left uncontrolled, can have significant environmental drawbacks, with the most apparent one being the loss of a natural habitat. Humans, animals, and plants are put under intense pressure due to the massively increased resource consumption that often comes with a large population. For example, a densely populated city like Tokyo has caused overexploitation of the surrounding seas, leading to a depletion of fish stocks. Coasts and seas are also being polluted from industries and the abuse of natural resources. Overpopulation leads to a cycle of increased demand for resources, further environmental degradation, and increased poverty and health problems. Increases in air pollution, water pollution, soil contamination, noise pollution, and physical waste will all affect our quality of living. The environment will also be exposed to harsher and more challenging living conditions, affecting the quality of life and safety of all those that live there. Increased competition for jobs and housing is also a very obvious effect of overpopulation, as more and more people are crowded into the same spaces. This can be particularly damaging to a country's economy, as it can lead to high unemployment and the country's resources are used at a faster rate than it can handle. For instance, the increased use and demand for fossil fuels that will result from high populations will worsen global warming. In turn, this will lead to a rise in sea levels, which means that the land we currently live on will be covered by water, reducing the amount of space available for the human population. As a result, there will be less agricultural land to farm, which will lead to food shortages and increased prices as a growing number of people chase a diminishing supply of available food. This kind of widespread distress can have severe political implications, generating terrorism, civil war, and many other forms of internal and international conflict. Social and economic inequality is another issue, which is imposed by overpopulation. Modern economic theory does not support the views that "overpopulation implies poverty". For example, in China, the population has grown due to high standards of living, advanced health care facilities, and the increased chance of survival, and life expectancy therefore improved. However, the same cannot be said for the increased social and economic inequality, which widened the discrepancy between the rich and the poor. This is because the bourgeoisie (middle and upper classes) will take advantage of their larger number and exploit the workers, leading to increased child labor and corruption based on how popular reforms may be for the benefit of the poor.

3.1 Strain on resources

The most obvious symptom of overpopulation is that people have to live in undesirable living conditions. Also, as larger amounts of people try to find limited resources, the quality of life for the individual decreases. A child in an overpopulated area will have a lower standard of living with less chance to receive a good education. Housing often offers the clearest example of the strain overpopulation puts on a society. When regions are struggling with overpopulation, it is very difficult to provide a safe living environment for the entire population. Too many people means that houses are crammed full and there is a shortage of quality housing. This often leads to families living in one room, in unhealthy environments and in extreme cases it leads to homelessness. When large metropolitan areas become overpopulated, the consequences can be quite overwhelming. Establishing businesses closely together, industries and factories have to be built near cities. This leads to high levels of air pollution from manufacturing practices, and most third world cities are in countries that are industrializing as a result of overpopulation. Also, companies have to spread their buildings across valuable land for housing. This leads to the demolition of valuable land and reduced green space for the communities. Some other examples for loss of green space include the need for the establishment of landfill sites and the destruction of countryside for farming and resources. Even in modern times, where the standard of medical care is good, there are high infant and child mortality rates in overpopulated areas. Due to lack of birthing facilities and poor parents will often end up with poorly children or children with no chance of survival. This can have physical and emotional stress from their loss and a child's life is unfairly cut short. And finally, the amount of carbon dioxide that is released by as many as 7 billion people now is dramatically impacting the rate of global warming and environmental conditions. People may argue that sustainable living in overpopulated areas is achievable and easy. However, these people don't take into account the ever-increasing population. If this is continuous, there will be a point where the human population could become so dense that it outweighs the environment. This would lead to a chain reaction of natural disasters, diseases, resource limits, and radioactivity.

3.2 Environmental degradation

Finally, rapid depletion of natural resources is leading to many serious environmental issues such as global warming, deforestation, water and air pollution, etc. By the time these problems are becoming more and more serious, it is so clear that overpopulation has already made a big influence on our environment. So, in the near future, the negative impact that population has will be even bigger. For example, at least 80,000 acres of forest area are lost every day and 12 million hectares of land are turned into desert because of overpopulation. In many countries, there is not enough clean water for people to drink and water is becoming the most difficult thing to find in those places. Lots of plant and animal species will be extinct because of destroying their habitats, and the increased amount of carbon dioxide, which is produced by burning fossil fuels, has already made our earth become "uninhabitable" step by step. But none of these problems would exist if the population did not have so much influence on our environment. So there must be a balance between population and the resources of the earth, and we must make a change; otherwise, our environment will continue to be destroyed. From what has been discussed above, it is obvious that overpopulation has already become a critical issue for human beings as well as the earth itself. It not only causes negative effects on society, such as resource consumption, the unemployment rate, and poverty, but also leads to many environmental problems, like climate change, natural habitat loss, water shortage, and air, water, and land pollution. So, in our day and age, we have to find some methods to control overpopulation so as to make sustainable development possible. By doing so, it may help to stop the population from continuing to increase; thus, the environmental problems, resource consumption, and poverty may be resolved as time goes by. All in all, overpopulation is a condition when the number of the human population exceeds the carrying capacity of the earth. However, it depends on the environment because in some places of big population, the environment may not be spoiled. However, the main point is the overpopulation. All in all, overpopulation is a cause of most of the problems that are happening to society. The resources are being consumed by the people and wasted.

3.3 Increased competition for jobs and housing

One of the most serious effects of overpopulation is increased competition for jobs and housing. When a country becomes overpopulated, it gives rise to unemployment as there are fewer jobs to support a large number of people. With fewer jobs and fewer resources, the standard of living and the quality of life for most people goes down. There is also evidence to support the fact that overpopulation is increasing the number of slums around the world. These are often described as areas of decay as a result of the continuous and rapid growth and spread of large urban areas. Poorer areas of a city are generally in a state of despair, and this is an example of the evidence of overpopulation in some urban areas. Furthermore, many LEDCs (Less Economically Developed Countries) suffer from the urban/rural divide. Many people do not have sufficient access to housing and social infrastructure, and if urbanization is not properly planned and managed, this will continue to cause problems for those living in rural areas. This divide can give rise to social and political problems, such as oppression and civil uprisings. Overall, it is evident that overpopulation does have a number of adverse effects on people and their environment, and if measures can be taken to prevent such a climactic and profound issue, it can only be a step in the right direction for a better tomorrow. Technology and development are increasing at a pace that Earth is struggling to maintain; the population is increasing at an unprecedented rate, and we are consumed by the need for optimum living space. We must try to protect and preserve the beautiful and natural environments of the Earth, and we should continue to do all we can to ensure that our impact on the Earth is minimal when we leave.

3.4 Social and economic inequality

In contrast to the theory that claims higher population leads to lower economic growth, it is not always the case for overpopulation. As aforementioned, overpopulation might be the main cause for social and economic inequality. One of the most important reasons for the unequal distribution of income in a certain country is overpopulation. The problem arises when a country, for the purpose of industrialization, tries to bring out a modern way of life for its people and provide better living conditions. As the state of a country improves, family members begin to realize that the chances of the "next" generation surviving might be increased with the effort of having more children. So in fact, what happens is the total population is increasing and children are taking up a large portion of the population in the given country. As a consequence of overpopulation, not all people will get an equal supply of resources, such as healthcare and education. In other words, the quality of life is eroded by an excessive number of people using the same facilities. A lack of job opportunity or unemployment has a direct effect on the economy of a country as we can see, as it is clear from the fact that there is an increased likelihood that people who are without jobs will have to ask the government for help in the form of financial aid in order to survive. Also, it will be inevitable that those unemployed have a lower standard of living than those with jobs. As a result, the average income may drop. Besides, overpopulation will also lead to a burden on the government as it has to provide food, water, and other needs of the society. This will in turn lead to the government using up a larger amount of money to provide for the society. The consequence is that the government will face budget constraints to keep up with the demands of the overpopulation. Last but not least, social problems may be encountered by the society as well. Due to the increased unemployment rate, few people will fear and this could lead to theft, robbery, and other lawlessness acts. It is estimated that about one-fifth of every country in the world is overpopulated. So it is our duty, from an economic point of view, to control the population and hence the population growth. There are many issues today that pose a threat to our way of life. Overpopulation is a serious problem that will eventually have an extremely negative effect on our countries. Our planet's resources are being consumed at an alarming rate, and we have to control this before it is too late. 909 words done

4. Consequences of Overpopulation

Due to high population and significant increase in population growth, the demand for food is on the rise whereas agricultural productivity is at stake. According to "World Population Prospects: The 2015 Revision," the present world population growth is about 1.18 percent, which is a huge burden on world food supply. In other words, it represents the disparity between the rate of food supply and the rate of population growth. When the population exceeds the capacity of the land to produce enough food for the people it inhabits, population becomes a great threat to starvation and malnutrition. This is a key factor of overpopulation which contributes to most of the other population problems. Furthermore, with high population increase rate, the demand for food will also increase and become more and more intense. Consequently, it drives the farmers to utilize every inch of land in order to harvest more food and import food from other countries which obviously need to pay a huge sum of money. This leads to another catastrophic effect that is over-exploitation. When the land is overused, it will result in land degradation which is a permanent and decreasing in land fertility. As a consequence of that, the barren land does not have the ability to sustain the people living in that area and the food production will decrease gradually. On the other hand, the impact of population growth on water quality and quantity is also an important issue. Anthropogenic activities, such as deforestation, overgrazing, and over cultivation, increase soil erosion and sedimentation in water bodies. These affect water quality by degrading aquatic habitats and reducing the amount of sunlight available to aquatic organisms. Also, as human population rises, there is an increasing demand on the global freshwater supply.

4.1 Food and water scarcity

The problems arising from overpopulation are so vast and weighty that it affects almost all walks of human life. Food and water scarcity is one of the major problems many people over the world. The essay published by Princeton University, based on the size of the population, discusses the effects of overpopulation on the world out. It brings about a lot of problems not only to the poor countries, which are already in a bad situation, but it affects the wealthy and well developed ones too. Increased population means increased demands for food, water, shelter, and clothes. Our natural resources are reducing and human beings are affected because most of the resources are being misused in order to obtain benefit. It is significant that some precious minerals are found only in specific areas, and those areas have to be exploited if they are to be used, naturally, this will bring about increased exports and further damage. Besides, the exploitation of natural resources makes seriousness damage to the environment after occurrence. For example, cutting down trees can result in deforestation, which can lead to soil erosion. Also, soil erosion will finally end up with habitats destruction and landslides. This shows that the trees are important to the environment and people. It is because humans need those trees and forests more than the people. Overpopulation brings about more and more demands on land and building. It is most of the time, people are forced to build houses in places not suitable for housing, for example, shrinking the green areas in the towns. It means the fields and meadows, which are natural habitats, crops and pots, have to be demolished in order to provide more land for building work. However, it is also noticed that people are forced to build illegal settlements if the housing demands continue to increase. This action not only brings about deforestation, but also damages natural landscape. Last but not the least, land pollution is another issue leads to overpopulation. Most of the time, land has got nothing to do because it is so crowded and busy. As a result, many people throw rubbishes on the floor, and this is a defensive action against those tourists so that they do not want to set their feet in our land. Overall, it gives greater emphasis the damages of overpopulation to the earth. Planets and environments are in critical problems. People should care and pay more attention to the nature and earth to protect ourselves from poverty and disaster caused by overpopulation.

4.2 Overburdened infrastructure

s have different values and beliefs. This can lead to conflicts and misunderstandings when different cultures come into contact with each other. Overpopulation can exacerbate these cultural clashes as people from different backgrounds are forced to live in close proximity. This can lead to tension and social unrest. Additionally, overpopulation can put a strain on resources such as food and water. As the population increases, the demand for these resources also increases. This can lead to scarcity and competition for limited resources, which can further exacerbate social and economic inequalities. In conclusion, overpopulation can have a wide range of negative effects on society and the environment. It is important for governments and individuals to take steps to address this issue and find sustainable solutions for the future.

4.3 Political instability

One of the major problems that results from "political instability" is that overpopulated countries often end up in or even provoke wars, whether they are civil wars or conflicts between nations. It is so easy for a government in an overpopulated country to rely on the scapegoat of "enemy" in order to divert the attention of the people from the real problems - social and economic inequality and the perpetual shortages of resources because of the overpopulation. This is evident when the government changes its policies and refocuses on military and defense - its spending skyrockets and the civil rights of people are often subordinated. As a direct consequence of the civil rights abuses in the times of instability, there are fewer and fewer citizens who trust the government or have faith in democratic solutions - which only perpetuates the problems associated with overpopulation. This is also true for the international conflicts, where overpopulated nations struggle for resources. A good example is the conflicts between Chad and Sudan and the genocide in Darfur - having just come out of a 20-year civil war between the Muslim and Christian south and north of Sudan, the region is rife with "political instability" because of competition for resources. When Sudan gained its independence from Britain, the "political instability" began again - because of the struggle between the "liberation" forces and the 'alleged' terrorists, the country supposes the US economical sanctions and is officially proclaimed as a sponsor of terrorism by the US. Obviously, such situation can never be a good long-term strategy for the political and economical development in overpopulated countries - yet the recent discovery of oil in the southern territories of Sudan and subsequent "land-grabbing" and forced removal of local people indicate that the relationships and attitudes are unlikely to change in the near future. The worst consequences are suffered by the ordinary citizens - the same as in any other case of the "political instability". The conflict between government and opposition oftentimes eases into the restrictions and outright prohibitions on any manifestations of resistance: media is being censored, the freedom of speech and assembly are violently oppressed, and the opposition leaders and activists are being terrorized and assassinated. Alas, in the situation of overpopulation, the truth is that the opposition is usually too weak and divided to overthrow the regime - and civil rights violations and abuse become an everyday reality in the lives of ordinary people. In the long run, it is situations like these that make overpopulation not just a social and economical issue, but a security issue for the entire humanity. So long as the human beings continue to put short-term comforts before long-term welfare and turn the blind eye to the usage of wars 'to control the population' or 'to protect the national interests' in the manifestly overpopulated countries, the vicious circle of "political instability" and violation of human rights in the overpopulated countries will never end.

4.4 Loss of biodiversity

The loss of biodiversity caused by overpopulation is a direct consequence of the destruction of natural habitats and the over-exploitation of natural resources. In the same way, the immense pressure that humanity is placing on the planet is having a profound effect on the variety of life. As the human population grows and grows, embracing more land and producing more waste, the natural habitat of innumerable species, birds, and fishes is destroyed. Not only does a reduction in the area of the forest mean less chance of finding new life-saving pharmaceuticals, but each time a plant or animal dies out, it is gone forever. When a species becomes seriously threatened, it might struggle to survive just because there is low genetic diversity from which to choose. Variety in the genes of a population gives robustness. For instance, the Indian vulture nearly became extinct after an enormous number were killed off by a drug given to cattle, which the vultures then ate. With the low level of genetic diversity that is currently recorded among this species in India, the population may be at risk from a new virus epidemic. Furthermore, in some instances prosperity can, in fact, help to preserve biodiversity. In an area where people are struggling to go about their everyday lives, the environment is often far from being a top priority. When communities are presented with much more pressing issues such as civil war, basic health care, education, and growth, it is wholly understandable that exhaustible supplies of fresh water or the potential extinction of wild flowers are given low priority. It is only when all these concerns are addressed that a country can truly begin to protect its natural riches.

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Home Essay Examples Sociology Overpopulation

Overpopulation: Causes And Consequences

• Category Sociology
• Subcategory Human Populations
• Topic Overpopulation

The concept of global challenges is very ambiguous as it encompasses multifarious types of challenges, consequences and solutions. However, Professor Kristen Gelsdof succinctly defines a global challenge as “any major trend, shock or development that has the potential for serious global impacts” (1). I would like to extend this definition with “and can only be solved with global compliance and collaboration”, as I believe that no global challenge can be solved by any one nation or institution alone. They require collaborative action among all members of the international community, including IGOs, NGOs and corporations (2).

A significant challenge facing us today is world population, which can be characterised as overpopulation and as a growing threat to human survival on Earth. From the beginning of human history, it took until 1804 to reach a world population of 1 billion people, but only approximately 200 years after that to reach 7 billion (see Figure 1). Now, humans are reproducing at an unprecedented rate, with the population expected to increase by 2 billion in the next 30 years and peak at 11 billion by 2100 (3). The Industrial Revolution was a pinnacle point of human history that brought advancements in science, technology and transport worldwide. These advancements have enabled more people to reach the reproductive age and have reduced the fatality rate. As a result of this, increasing worldwide population growth has become a major contributor to climate change, rising sea-levels, exhaustion of natural resources and rising living costs and unemployment (4). It is now more important than ever before to face overpopulation with global solutions, otherwise the consequences will be devastating.

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In her report The Population Explosion: Causes and Consequences, Carolyn Kinder defines overpopulation as “the condition of having more people than can live on earth in comfort, happiness and health and still leave the world a fit place for future generations” (6). With more than 220 000 consumers being added to the planet daily (7), the disparity between human consumption and renewed global resources is increasing at an extremely unsustainable and alarming rate.

Earth Overshoot Day is the date which marks the depletion of the global allowance of the Earth’s yearly quota of natural resources. These resources include clean water, clean air and carbon sequestration (8). In 2019, Earth Overshoot day was July 29th, the earliest date recorded. To put this into perspective, in 1987 the date was October 23rd and in 2005 it was August 26th (9). This current usage is equivalent to 1.7 Earths, and if this trend continues, with more people using more resources, three Earths will be needed by 2050 (see Figure 2) (10).

The first step in solving overpopulation is recognising it as a global challenge and acknowledging that it’s growing beyond its limits. When looking at Gelsdorf’s definition, it is quite evident that the concept of overpopulation cannot be denied as a global challenge. This trend has the ability to effect any area of the globe and has the ‘potential for serious global impacts’, such as resource depletion. Furthermore, because overpopulation is “trans-institutional in solution” (12) it can only be solved with ‘global compliance and collaboration’.

The 1994 International Conference of Parliamentarians on Population and Development recognised this fact. The conference identified that there is a “delicate balance between population and natural resources” (13) and it urges national governments to take responsibility to resolve their own population issues “in a way that respects their own national and cultural identity, values and tradition” (14).

A prominent example of a nation taking specific action to tackle population growth is China and it’s one child policy. Introduced in 1980, this unique and unprecedented domestic measure established strict government monitoring to ensure that Chinese couples were having one child only. Incentives were offered to those who complied with the policy, including paid vacation and priority housing. With China making up 19% of the global population alone, the policy has been effective in preventing approximately 400 million births (15), but despite this success, China has suffered from some negative side effects, including a skewed male population, an aging population and a shrinking workforce. The policy framework focused on numbers only and did not – or was not able to – take account of entrenched cultural biases that favoured survival of male children over female children. So, resolving the challenge clearly lies within shrouds of moral, religious, political and practical circumstances, as well as numbers.

Recent modifications to the policy now allow couples to have two children if either parent is a single child. A study published by The Lancet by Professor Yi Zeng and Professor Therese Hesketh highlighted that the two-child policy will “not result in a baby boom, but rather a moderate increase in fertility” (16), because of the low fertility culture in China due to the previous policy. Currently, China’s birth rates are at 1.9 children per mother (see Figure 3) and if this rate is sustained, it will lead to depopulation. However, the rate of decline will not mean a dramatic reduction in total population numbers, which still stands at 1.4 billion (17).

For the global community to benefit the most out of this solution, other nations should follow suit and implement their own birth policies within the bounds of their culture and awareness, especially nations with higher populations like India, the United States and Indonesia (18). It’s a non-disruptive way to slowly decrease the population as it doesn’t impact individuals who are already alive, but instead prevents births.

Another international solution is the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which outline 17 goals for the international community to work towards that are “the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all” (20). Because of state sovereignty, the SDGs are not legally binding. Instead, they are an innovative and effective way to exert pressure on nations and hold them accountable to accomplish the goals within their own borders (21). Additionally, compliance with the SGDs allows nations to create or maintain ties with other countries and establish a positive reputation within the global community. Although there is no specific SDG for overpopulation, the interconnective nature of the goals ensures that progress of some SDGs, especially ‘gender equality’ and ‘quality education’, is progress towards reducing overpopulation.

In his documentary Bill Nye Saves the World, scientist Bill Nye discusses the link between empowering women and overpopulation, stating, “by empowering women, we can lower the birth rate and keep population growth manageable” (22). Giving women access to a quality education and career is an impactful and ethical way to lower the birth rate. Not only is an education a vital way to gain knowledge about the many birth control options, but having a career usually means a woman can choose to have children later in life, which usually is linked to having fewer children. While this is a desirable aim, it is unfair for the female population to address this alone. The attitude and expectation of the male cohort must change if increased population levels are to be stabilised or reduced over time.

If the UN were to modify the SDGs to add a specific overpopulation goal, it will increase awareness about this issue and hopefully encourage nations put in place their own policies to sustain their precious resources and ensure the future of the world. Such an approach requires some sort of incentive which may include attaching achievement of population goals to financial assistance levels. World lending and aid organisations need to link their practices to a more sustainable level of population growth in spite of the moral and ethical issues that such an approach presents and the financial implications of doing so.

The actions we as a global community take now to combat overpopulation will determine the future of humankind and the environment. We have the power to decide whether we want to prosper as a race or succumb to irreversible environmental degradation and resource depletion. It is vital for all members of the international community to collaborate, cooperate and comply to ensure that the global solutions put in place are effective and sustainable.

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80 Overpopulation Topics & Essay Examples

Looking for interesting overpopulation topics for an essay or research paper? The issue is hot and definitely worth writing about!

• 🔝 Top 10 Topics to Write About
• 🏆 Best Essay
• 📌 Most Interesting Topics to Write about
• 👍 Research Questions & Topics

Here we’ve gathered a list of overpopulation essay examples, title ideas, and research questions related to the field. Get inspired with us!

🔝 Top 10 Overpopulation Topics to Write About

• Population dynamics in the world
• The role of medical advancements in human overpopulation
• Overpopulation: causes and effects
• Overpopulation and poverty: the correlation
• Does overpopulation threaten democracy?
• Social conflict and population growth: is there a connection?
• Overpopulation and pandemics today
• Population growth and human impact on environment
• Do we need to fight overpopulation?
• Human population planning

🏆 Best Overpopulation Essay

• Overpopulation: Causes, Effects and Consequences The primary objective is to highlight the deplorable consequences of overpopulation and thereby persuade people not to overpopulate. In the past, poor people gave birth to a lot of children to make up for high […]
• Overpopulation: Causes, Effects, and Solutions Advances in industry and production provide clothes and items for the growing population to use, thus creating and maintaining a higher standard of living.
• Overpopulation and Limit on Number of Children Another supporting factor of limiting the number of children is that it allows for more resources to be dedicated to each child both within microenvironments of the family and the macro considerations of the national […]
• Impacts of Overpopulation on the Environment Other primary causes of deforestation are construction of roads and residential houses to cater for the increasing population. As the natural habitats are destroyed, many wildlife species have been displaced and many died due to […]
• Human Population and the Environment The fertility rate of a given species will depend on the life history characteristics of the species such as the number of reproductive periods in the lifetime of the species and the number of offspring […]
• How Overpopulation Affects Our Economy These are: population dynamics and the demographic concept, reasons for the increase in the size of the population, effects of overpopulation in the economy, food production per capita index, lower national income, increasing burden on […]
• Overpopulation Effects on the Environment In comparison to the population in 2000, the population in 2050 is predicted to rise by 47 percent. The aim of this research is to describe the effects of overpopulation on land, air, and food […]
• Overpopulation and Homelessness in the Modern World According to the United Nations, more than half of the population resides in urban areas, making the problem of homelessness visible: cities cannot keep up with the high demand for housing, resulting in people living […]
• Overpopulation Benefits With this in mind, this paper shall set out to evaluate the impacts of overpopulation to the political, cultural, anthropological and economical perspectives to various economies and societies.
• Utilitarian View on Overpopulation and Life Quality Despite the various foundations of utilitarianism, it involves the association of actions based on the good will of the majority, hence the subjective nature to individualized domain.
• Global Issues, Climate Justice, and Human Overpopulation On the one hand, globalization has many positive aspects: the mutual enrichment of the world community, the exchange of best practices, and the availability of goods.
• The Issue of Overpopulation and Human Population Growth Control The consequences of overpopulation include the depletion of natural resources and climate change which have hindered the conservation of natural resources such as water and animals.
• Overpopulation: Is the Small World Getting Smaller? Nevertheless, despite the legitimacy of the concerns raised over the slow availability of numerous resources and the seemingly drastic and steep increase in the number of people worldwide, the issue of overpopulation is likely to […]
• Managing Overpopulation in India and Caused Problems The death of the aged reduces the population by 10. Employment to the youth reduces poverty.
• Overpopulation and Food Production Problem Therefore, the issue explored in this paper is the decrease of Earth’s natural resources and capacity to produce food re decreasing, while the problem of hunger remains and the population continues to increase. 3% of […]
• Problem of Overpopulation: Proenvironmental Concerns It is necessary to find the ways to solve future problems as the situation is likely to worsen over time. The mentioned quotes prove that it is possible to correct people’s thinking about overpopulation and […]
• Human Overpopulation and Its Global Impact Overpopulation presents a huge threat to the future of the planet, as the resources of the Earth seem to be at the breaking point because of their overexploitation caused by enormous rates of population increase.
• The Problem of Overpopulation and How to Fix It It can be stated the confidence that the solution to this global challenge is the primary duty of present and future generations. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the overpopulation phenomenon and propose […]
• The Issue of the Overpopulation Particularly, the proponents of fertility control support their position by the fact that the degrading environment is no longer able to provide for the needs of so many people, and with the duration of time […]
• Does the Overpopulation of Our Planet Pose a Serious Problem? Another concern for the demographers is that while in certain developing nations the rate of population growth has been increasing, in the developed countries it has been found to be declining steadily.
• Environmental Problems From Human Overpopulation The significant movement of the population to the suburbs, coupled with economic prosperity and the technological improvement that made it possible, began to take its toll.
• Overpopulation: “Empty Planet” by Bricker & Ibbitson However, while some people are trying in vain to stabilize the average population growth in all parts of the world, others are becoming aware of the implications such drastic changes can bring to the future […]
• Birth Control Against Overpopulation Based on the information presented, it can be seen that the current growth of the human population is unsustainable in the long run due to the finite resources on the planet.
• The Impact of Overpopulation on the Global Environment In support of the motion that the global population is too large and that the United States and other industrialized countries should support active measures to control population growth in the developing world, it is […]
• Prison in the USA: Solutions to Reducing Overpopulation First of all, it is necessary to improve the justice system which is the reason of overpopulation in prisons. Secondly, it is necessary to rethink the life of inmates in prison.
• Overpopulation Challenges in China The population crisis in China has become a global issue, owing to the numerous contributions that the country makes towards the activities of the international community.
• The Problem of Overpopulation The purpose of this paper is to examine the causes and effects of overpopulation, potential threats to society, and the ecosystem, as well as the ways to overcome the problem.
• Overpopulation as a Challenge to Management’s Ethos It is based on this that when it comes to the threat of overpopulation as a challenge to management’s ethos of mass-production and mass-consumption, the problem lies in the fact that the ethos of companies […]
• The Challenges of Overpopulation: Vertical Cities The design of the building assumes that the structure will have a longer and sustainable life as compared to the degrading city and surroundings.
• The Problem of Global Overpopulation Insights gained from the chapters reveal that the main reason behind the problem of resource overconsumption which threatens the very future of the planet is the rampant overpopulation of humanity which threatens to drain the […]

📌 Most Interesting Overpopulation Topics to Write about

• The Effects Of Human Overpopulation On The Environment
• The Threat Of Terrorism And Overpopulation Concerns
• A Discussion on the Effects of Global Warming and Overpopulation in the World
• The Population of Our Planet and the Issue of the Overpopulation
• The View On Overpopulation: Looking Deeper Into The Hardinian Taboo
• The Growth Population and Problem of Overpopulation During the 20th Century
• The Effects of Overpopulation on the Economy of China
• Pet Overpopulation: Cause And Effect Of Homeless Pets
• The Growing Concerns Regarding the Overpopulation of the World Amid Limited Resources
• Thomas Malthus Overpopulation Theory
• The Importance of Slowing Down the Environmental Consequences of Overpopulation
• The Enviromnetal Degradation as a Result of Overpopulation
• A Comparison of the Insights on Overpopulation in the Media
• Problems Created By Overpopulation Population Growth World
• The United States: Future Contributions to Overpopulation
• The Growing Concerns over Global Overpopulation Relative to the Depleting Resources
• Why the Problem of Overpopulation is a Serious Problem Today
• The World Fastest Gowing Problems: Overpopulation
• Pet Overpopulation: Negative Effects and Prevention
• The Issue of Overpopulation and the Main Reasons Why Capital Cities Become Overpopulated

👍 Overpopulation Research Questions & Topics

• The Cause, Effect, and Solution to Overpopulation in the Philippines
• A Description of the Problem of Overpopulation of Cats in the United States
• The Struggle of Overpopulation: China’s Fight Against Numbers
• We Must Stop Overpopulation and Pollution of Our Environment
• An Analysis of the Big Concern and the Growth and the Overpopulation of Our Planet
• An Overview of the Natural Beauty and the Right to Decent, the Issues of Overpopulation
• An Analysis of Overpopulation and Population Growth
• Poverty Is Not Caused by Overpopulation, Overpopulation Is Caused by Poverty
• The Great Human Tumor : Earth ‘s Human Overpopulation Crisis
• Population Control Measures And Control Overpopulation
• The Cause and Effects of Pet Overpopulation
• An Analysis of the Environmental Degradation as a Result of Overpopulation
• Sociology: Overpopulation and Population Growth
• An Argument in Favor of Stopping the Environmental Problem of Overpopulation
• An Analysis of the Theme of Overpopulation in Population Bomb by Ehrlich
• The Decline of Environmental Conditions Due to Human Overpopulation
• Overpopulation: Unemployment and Possible Solutions
• Prison Alternatives as Possible Solutions to Controlling Overpopulation in American Prisons
• The Worsening Problem of Earth’s Overpopulation
• The Negative Impact of Overpopulation on the World
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

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Essay on Overpopulation

To guarantee a future for our planet, it’s essential that we strive for sustainability in all of our practices. Whether it is in business, industry, or even the everyday decisions and habits in our lives. We must be vocal and proactive in preserving the earth’s resources and advocating for sustainable practices. One of the major concerns affecting the sustainability of the planet is population. The increase in population is leading to several problems. Therefore, today we will focus on the effects of overpopulation on our planet in detail.

Short and Long Overpopulation Essay in English

Here, we are presenting long and short essays on Overpopulation in English for students under word limits of 100 – 150 Words, 200 – 250 words, and 500 – 600 words. This topic is useful for students of classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 in English. These provided essays on Overpopulation will help you to write effective essays, paragraphs, and speeches on this topic.

Overpopulation Essay 10 Lines (100 – 150 Words)

1) Overpopulation is a very disastrous problem in the world nowadays.

2) It increases pressure on resources such as food, water, shelter, and energy.

3) Overpopulation also contributes to global warming.

4) Overpopulation reduces the quality of life and affects the quality of the environment.

5) Overpopulation affects the education system and causes overcrowding in schools and universities.

6) It limits spaces for individuals to enjoy outdoor activities, such as parks and beaches.

7) Overpopulation leads to increased competition for jobs and wages.

8) It makes it difficult for people to receive healthcare and other essential services.

9) Government runs several policies to control the population.

10) Overpopulation is a major concern that should be controlled as soon as possible.

Short Essay on Overpopulation (250 – 300 Words)

Introduction

Overpopulation is a global issue that affects our lives and will continue to do so until some action is taken. To put it in simple terms, it is a situation where the number of people living in an area is significantly higher than the amount of resources available to them. As population growth continues to spiral and more people are born than die in a given area, overpopulation inevitably increases.

Consequences of Overpopulation

The consequences of overpopulation are far-reaching and deadly. In densely populated cities, finite resources become increasingly scarce as industrialization and urbanization increase. This causes competition over resources and pressure on water, energy, and food supplies. Stressful living conditions only add to the problem as people battle overcrowding in housing as well as in workplaces and public spaces. This struggle to survive can lead to mental and physical health problems, aggression, and crime.

Impact of Overpopulation on the Environment

The environment also suffers greatly under overpopulation. With more people consuming resources and creating waste, there is an increased demand for space, energy, and materials. This often leads to habitat destruction, air and water pollution, and the depletion of natural resources. It is also believed that the human population is partly responsible for climate change as a result of the increase in emissions from transport, agriculture, and industry.

Overpopulation is an urgent, complex, and universal issue that needs to be tackled now to ensure our planet’s future. We must prioritize our wellbeing of us while carefully managing our resources so that no one is disproportionately affected by the consequences of human population growth.

Long Essay on Overpopulation (500 Words)

The global population has increased exponentially over the past century. Overpopulation is a major concern for the world, as it has a wide range of impacts on the environment, economy, health, and more. It is therefore important to understand the various implications of overpopulation and take steps to mitigate them.

Impact of Overpopulation on Global Scale

On a global scale, overpopulation can create large-scale environmental issues. As the number of people on the planet increases, so does the number of resources required to sustain them. This can lead to deforestation as more trees are cut down to provide materials for housing, and increased pollution due to additional waste being created. In addition, it creates the issue of food insecurity as more people are competing for access to limited resources.

Impact of Overpopulation on National Level

On a national level, overpopulation can lead to economic problems. As the population increases, it becomes more difficult to produce enough jobs and create enough income opportunities to support everyone. This in turn can lead to higher unemployment, higher taxes, and poorer living standards. In addition, due to population pressure, public services such as healthcare, transportation, and education can suffer from underinvestment, leading to poorer quality and inaccessibility for those who need it the most.

Impact of Overpopulation on Personal Level

On a personal level, being part of an overpopulated society can have many negative impacts. Crowding can lead to greater stress due to reduced personal space, more noise and air pollution, and decreased access to recreational areas. In addition, it can lead to greater competition for resources such as food and housing, resulting in rising prices and poverty rates.

Solutions for Overpopulation

While overpopulation has serious implications for our planet, there are steps we can take to mitigate this issue. Governments can implement and promote family planning programs to help families have better access to modern contraception and reproductive health care. In addition, comprehensive sex education can be used to promote responsible and informed decision-making on the part of individuals. On an environmental level, we can take steps to reduce our consumption of resources, adopt cleaner energy sources, and implement programs that promote environmental protection.

Overpopulation in India

India is one of the most populous countries in the world, with a population of more than 140 crore people. The country is struggling to meet the needs of its rapidly growing population. Overpopulation is an issue that India needs to address urgently. This can be done through education and better access to family planning services. Awareness campaigns need to be conducted to educate people about the consequences of overpopulation. Furthermore, the government needs to provide incentives for family planning and reproductive health care needs to be made accessible to everyone.

Overpopulation is a global issue with a wide range of societal and environmental implications. It is therefore important to understand the various impacts of overpopulation and to take steps to reduce, mitigate, and address them. With the proper solutions in place, it is possible to ensure that our planet can sustain its population in a way that is healthy and beneficial to all.

I hope the above-provided essay on overpopulation will be helpful for everyone to know the impact of the increasing population on our planet.

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions on Overpopulation

Ans.  The primary causes of overpopulation in India are declining death rates, increased life expectancy, and deep-seated cultural and religious values that favor high birth rates. Additionally, poverty and a lack of education and access to family planning methods also contribute to overpopulation.

Ans.  The long-term effects of overpopulation in India are a decrease in the quality of life due to increased shortages of healthcare, food, clean water, and jobs and an increased risk of environmental damage and resource depletion.

Ans.  In 2023, China is considered the most populous country in the world.

Ans.  Vatican City is the least populated country in the world in 2023.

Ans.  In 2023, the population of India counts to 1,380,004,385.

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Essay on Overpopulation in 500 Words

• Updated on  
• Dec 28, 2023

Essay on Overpopulation: Today, there are a total of 8.1 billion people in the world. This is a result of overpopulation and studies suggest that in the next 25 years, this number will reach 10 billion. This is overpopulation or overabundance, where our environment cannot offer resources to such large amounts of people. Overpopulation is not limited to humans only. It can be of any species living in a particular habitat. 

India, China, and the USA are the three most populated countries in the world, which account for a total of 40% of the global population. Population plays a major role in a country’s development. However, if there is overpopulation, it will hamper developmental activities and there will be fewer resources available. This will eventually lead to higher food prices, making survival difficult for everyone.

Also Read: World Population Day 2023

Also Read: Essay on India of My Dreams

Causes of Overpopulation

There are various causes of overpopulation, such as lack of education, high birth rates, primitive medical facilities, illiteracy, lack of employment opportunities, etc. Most of these factors are prevalent in developing and underdeveloped countries. 

High birth rates contribute significantly to overpopulation. Factors such as lack of access to family planning, cultural norms, and a high infant mortality rate can encourage families to have more children.

Lack of education and poverty lead to higher population growth. People belonging to communities where education is limited, are not aware of or have access to family planning methods.

In many places, cultural and religious beliefs influence reproductive choices. Some families have several children, which is part of their social norm or is encouraged by religious teachings.

Another major cause of overpopulation is migration. People move to areas with better economic prospects, leading to population density issues in those regions.

Also Read: Essay on Education

Also Read: Essay on New Education in 500 Words

Consequences of Overpopulation

In one way or another, all the problems the world is facing today are related to overpopulation. Say it war, overuse of resources, slow developmental activities, carbon emission, global warming, etc. 

Natural resources are depleting at a faster rate than ever. As the population increases, the demand for food and energy resources also increases. Overpopulation contributes to climate change, loss of biodiversity, and other environmental issues. 

As humans, we need houses, which are established by cutting down forests and other natural resources. This results in a loss of biodiversity. Rapid urbanization causes problems such as inadequate housing, insufficient infrastructure, traffic congestion, and increased pollution in urban areas. 

A rapidly growing population can outstrip job opportunities, resulting in high levels of unemployment. This can lead to social unrest and economic instability.

The overpopulation myth ~ Make babies, not war 🙏 pic.twitter.com/3JaLbDbHd2 — Oddvin (@enterfx) December 16, 2023

How to Deal With Overpopulation

Educating people about the causes and effects of overpopulation is one of the best ways to deal with overpopulation. Studies show that people who have access to proper medical and healthcare facilities have better family planning measures. 

Promoting and educating women and girls about reproduction is very important. Educated women tend to have fewer children and this will make them socially and economically more empowered. Encouraging women to participate in the workforce and decision-making processes can be another way to deal with overpopulation. 

Offering job opportunities and promoting green sustainable development will allow people to understand the effects of overpopulation on the environment. 

The world is our home and we are its protector. Overpopulation is putting a lot of strain on the natural environment, and it needs to be addressed in a civilised way. We need to make sure there is enough for everyone and that we are fulfilling our duty to Mother Nature.

Ans: The major causes of overpopulation are high birth rate, lack of education and illiteracy, poverty, cultural and religious beliefs, etc.

Ans: Some of the least populated countries are Iceland, Suriname, Mongolia, San Marino, Liechtenstein, and Palau.

Ans: Overpopulation is a phenomenon where a particular species exceeds the carrying capacity of the environment. The global population has increased by 1.2 billion in the last 20 years. This was the biggest population boom, putting a heavy strain on the natural environment. Overpopulation is majorly caused in developing countries, because of factors like lack of education and illiteracy, higher birth rates, poverty, etc. Proper government actions are required to address overpopulation, such as educational and family planning programs, women empowerment, job opportunities, etc.

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With an experience of over a year, I've developed a passion for writing blogs on wide range of topics. I am mostly inspired from topics related to social and environmental fields, where you come up with a positive outcome.

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Essay on Effects of Overpopulation

Students are often asked to write an essay on Effects of Overpopulation in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Effects of Overpopulation

Introduction.

Overpopulation refers to a situation where the number of people exceeds the resources available to meet their needs. It’s a critical issue that has several effects on our planet.

Environmental Impact

Overpopulation leads to excessive consumption of resources, causing environmental degradation. It results in deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and climate change.

Resource Scarcity

With more people to feed, house, and provide for, resources become scarce. This can lead to shortages of food, water, and energy.

Social Issues

Overpopulation can also lead to social problems like unemployment, poverty, and inadequate healthcare. It puts pressure on social services and infrastructure.

Overpopulation poses serious threats to our environment and society. It’s important to find sustainable solutions to control population growth.

250 Words Essay on Effects of Overpopulation

Overpopulation, a concerning global issue, refers to a situation where the number of people exceeds the carrying capacity of their regional environment. This population explosion has numerous effects, some of which are severely detrimental to our planet and society.

Overpopulation leads to excessive consumption of resources, contributing to their rapid depletion. It accelerates deforestation, as more land is required for housing and agriculture. This loss of forests disrupts ecosystems, leading to biodiversity loss. Furthermore, the increased demand for fossil fuels results in higher CO2 emissions, accelerating climate change.

Social Consequences

An overcrowded society often faces challenges in providing basic necessities. Overpopulation strains public services, such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure. It can also exacerbate unemployment rates, leading to economic instability and increased poverty levels.

Health Implications

Overpopulation can impact public health. High population densities can facilitate the spread of diseases, making pandemics more likely and more difficult to control. Additionally, increased pollution due to overpopulation can lead to a range of health problems, from respiratory issues to cancer.

Overpopulation is a pressing issue with far-reaching implications for our planet and society. It is crucial to address this problem through sustainable development, education, and population control measures. By doing so, we can hope to create a balanced relationship between humanity and our shared environment.

500 Words Essay on Effects of Overpopulation

Overpopulation is a global issue that has profound implications on the sustainability of our planet. It refers to a situation where the number of people in a particular region exceeds the carrying capacity of that region. The rapid increase in global population, particularly in the last few centuries, has led to a multitude of problems, ranging from environmental degradation to socioeconomic instability.

Environmental Impacts

One of the primary effects of overpopulation is the strain it places on our environment. The increased demand for natural resources such as water, fossil fuels, and agricultural land has led to their over-exploitation. This results in deforestation, soil erosion, and a loss of biodiversity. Overpopulation also contributes to increased carbon emissions, leading to global warming and climate change.

Socioeconomic Consequences

Overpopulation also has significant socioeconomic implications. With more people to feed, educate, and provide healthcare for, governments often struggle to meet these demands, leading to a decline in living standards. Overcrowded cities often face problems such as inadequate housing, poor sanitation, and increased crime rates. Additionally, overpopulation can exacerbate unemployment rates, as job creation struggles to keep pace with population growth.

Health Challenges

The health sector is not immune to the effects of overpopulation. Overcrowded living conditions can facilitate the spread of infectious diseases. Limited access to clean water and sanitation can also lead to a rise in waterborne diseases. Furthermore, the strain on healthcare systems can result in inadequate healthcare provision, leading to increased mortality rates.

Education and Human Development

Overpopulation can also hinder human development. With a higher number of children to educate, it becomes challenging to maintain the quality of education. This can lead to increased illiteracy rates and a lack of skilled labor force, which can further exacerbate economic challenges.

In conclusion, overpopulation is a multifaceted problem with far-reaching effects. It not only threatens our environment but also poses significant socioeconomic and health challenges. Therefore, it is crucial that we address this issue through comprehensive policies that focus on sustainable development and population control. This could include initiatives to improve education, particularly on family planning, and the promotion of sustainable practices.

The issue of overpopulation is a pressing one, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that our planet can sustain future generations. As we continue to grapple with this issue, it is essential that we foster a global dialogue on overpopulation, encouraging innovative solutions and cooperation among nations.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

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• Overpopulation Essay

IELTS Overpopulation Essay

This model essay is about  overpopulation in cities . You specifically have to talk about the  problems  of overpopulation, and suggest some  solutions  to this problem.

Note that this question specifically asks you what governments and individuals can do.

Here is the question:

Overpopulation of urban areas has led to numerous problems.

Identify one or two serious ones and suggest ways that governments and individuals can tackle these problems.

Organising a Problems & Solutions Essay

Note that this overpopulation essay question specifically asks you what governments and individuals can do.

You MUST, therefore, write about what both of these can do in order to fully answer the question.

Note as well that you must talk about  serious  problems.

The easiest way to organize a problems and solutions essay is as follows:

Body 1: Problems

Body 2: Solutions

In this essay, a separate paragraph has been written about government and individual solutions, so it is organized as follows:

Body 2: Solutions - Government

Body 3: Solutions - Individuals

Model Essay

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own experience or knowledge.

Write at least 250 words.

IELTS Overpopulation Essay - Sample Answer

Many countries of the world are currently experiencing problems caused by rapidly growing populations in urban areas, and both governments and individuals have a duty to find ways to overcome these problems.

Overpopulation can lead to overcrowding and poor quality housing in many large cities. Poorly heated or damp housing could cause significant health problems, resulting in illness, such as bronchitis or pneumonia. Another serious consequence of overcrowding is a rising crime rate as poor living conditions may lead young people in particular to take desperate measures and turn to crime or drugs.

In terms of solutions, I believe the government should be largely responsible. Firstly, it is vital that the state provides essential housing and healthcare for all its citizens. Secondly, setting up community projects to help foster more community spirit and help keep young people off the street is a good idea. For example, youth clubs or evening classes for teenagers would keep them occupied. Finally, more effective policing of inner city areas would also be beneficial.

Naturally, individuals should also try to address these problems. One way is to put pressure on the government to ensure they tackle the problems by, for instance, forming action groups to lobby the government and request intervention and adequate funding. They could also form Neighbourhood Watch areas to try and help reduce the high levels of crime.

Therefore, it is clear that the problems caused by overpopulation in urban areas are very serious. Yet if governments and individuals share a collective responsibility, then it may well become possible to offer some solutions.

(260 words)

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More Problems & Solutions Essays:

IELTS Problem Solution Essay Example: Why is immigration problematic?

This problem solution essay example is about the increasing number of professionals who are leaving their own poorer countries to work in developed countries

Competing for Jobs Essay

Competing for Jobs Essay: This is a model essay about the problems arising when older people have to compete with younger people for jobs. you need to write about the problems that arise if older people have to compete for jobs with younger people.

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IELTS Essay, topic: Overpopulation

• IELTS Essays - Band 6

The world is experiencing a dramatic increase in population, which is causing problems not only for poor, undeveloped countries, but also for industrialized and developed nations. Describe some of the problems that overpopulation causes, and suggest at least one possible solution. You should write at least 250 words. You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Nowadays, the population dramatically in most countries around the world. This is true for the developed and developing nations. Overpopulation a different number of problems. However, the government can these problems in many .

There are different problems that overpopulation causes in rich nations. Firstly, it is very difficult for governments to provide helpful public services in overcrowded cities. Moreover, there is generally a higher level of crimes being committed, such as drugs abuse, murders, thefts, . often cause by the high rates of unemployment.

However, overpopulation problems in nations have two main which they are by governments. Firstly, the government must educate people about limiting the size of the family. For example, in China they have a policy called “one child policy” which limits the size of the family to one or two children, and this is beginning to have an effect on the world’s most crowded nation.

To sum up, if the impulsive population increase continues, many more people will die of hunger in the poor countries. Also, in rich nations, the life in the cities will become more and more difficult.

This essay covers the task and has a good content. However there are several areas to improve. The grammar needs more attention (see comments underlined in blue). In the first paragraph, the last sentence has instances of repetition of solve and solution, you could say instead “can find many solutions to those problems”. In the third paragraph, the last sentence has poor structure and looks unfinished. Overall, this looks like a Band 6 – 6.5 essay.

Click here to see more IELTS essays of band 6

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2 thoughts on “IELTS Essay, topic: Overpopulation”

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In some countries young people are encouraged to work or travel for a year between finishing high school and starting university. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for young people who decide to do this

Travelling unprecedented states after completing high school predominantly, crutches young people on acquiring knowledge and experience.When young people gain knowledge, it does favour for them in upcoming curriculum.Beside this, visiting in other countries assist young people for dealing with the lifestyles and cultures of others.To cite an instance,last year me and my friend had visited African countries resulting in, being familiar with african lifestyles.This not only, wides the knowledge and skill but also, contributes massively in freshing our minds and providing pleasure.

On the other hand,while travelling other countries,it rises some sort of cons. Initially,it mesmarises young people toward those countries. Nevertheless, going other places have a major obligation in gaining knowledge,it could fascinate young people in those countries.For example,young people of developing countries are migrating day by day in western lands in sue of better life styles and accommodations.More importantantly, this scenario is leading in shortage of manpower in native province.Therefore, day by day it is fabricating huge scarcity of skill human resources in developing nations.

In a gist, it is optimal for visiting other countries during vacation but, it is awful in shifting towards those countries.In my opinion, young people should not lure those countries in shake of better life.

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Overpopulation in World Essay in English for Children and Students

Table of Contents

Overpopulation refers to a situation where the number of humans in a particular place becomes more than the carrying capacity of that particular place. In a broader perspective the term overpopulation is also used for planet earth, because of the incessant rise in human population.

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There are various factors responsible for overpopulation like – low mortality rate; better public amenities; availability of food and habitat etc. A few social factors like illiteracy, poverty and no family planning are also responsible for overpopulation in developing or underdeveloped nations.

Long and Short Essay on Overpopulation in World in English

Below we have provided long and short essay on overpopulation in world. These overpopulation in world essay have been written in simple language covering all the vital topics under the heading overpopulation.

After going through the following essays you will know the causes of overpopulation in world; causes of overpopulation in India and other developing countries; what are the social effects of overpopulation; effects of overpopulation on health; what are the solutions of overpopulation etc.

Short Essay on Overpopulation in World (200 words) – Essay 1

Overpopulation is the overcrowding of earth due to unregulated population growth of humans. There are many economical and social factors leading to overpopulation. It could result from low mortality rate, high birth rate, illiteracy, lack of family planning, large scale migration etc. Also, depletion of natural resources at one place results in overpopulation at some other place, where the resources are abundant.

An improvement in the past century in basic healthcare facilities and amenities has led to a decline in mortality rate, thus causing the population to grow consistently and is set to continue growing in to the next century.

Overpopulation, despite being a significant global issue, doesn’t get its due consideration. Still not much is being done by the world, to regulate population or to counter its effects. Overpopulation can serious hamper the growth of a nation, causing issues like – unemployment, scarcity of resources, habitat destruction and law and order problems among others.

Necessary steps must be taken to keep the world population under control, so that no place on earth gets overcrowded with humans and become scarce in vital resources, making survival difficult. Along with the mentioned effects, overpopulation also indirectly affects the environment up to large extent.

Essay on Causes of Overpopulation in World (300 words) – Essay 2

Introduction

Overpopulation is the growing cause of concern throughout the world. It refers to an increase in population over a specific area, so much so, that the particular area becomes overcrowded, beyond its natural capacity. There are many reasons for overpopulation will we will discuss further in the essay.

Causes of Overpopulation in World

There could be various factors causing overpopulation in the world. Large scale immigration of people from one place to another because of political, communal or other issues may cause overpopulation at a particular place. People migrate to neighboring country to escape political upheaval or military conflicts on their own soil.

There is also a trend of migration from underdeveloped or developing countries to the developed nations. Mostly, labour class undertakes such migration in search of better financial opportunities. This migration however causes the population of the host nation to swell up.

Another significant factor that has been contributing to the population growth in the world is high life expectancy due to better medical facilities and development in medical science. People, today are dying less due to diseases, those had been claimed millions of lives in the past century.

Causes of Overpopulation in India and other Developing Countries

The main causes for overpopulation in India and other similar developing countries differ slightly from that of the world. Overpopulation in India is caused by factors like poverty, ignorance, lack of family planning, child labour, and reduced mortality rate, interstate immigration etc.

Poverty in India is considered to be one of the prime causes of overpopulation. Poverty leads to illiteracy and lack of awareness on issues like – contraceptive use and family planning; this, leading to a uncontrolled population growth in deprived areas.

The cause of overpopulation in the world is many and they differ from place to place. At one place migration might causing it, at another place it might have been caused due to poverty. Whatever the cause may be, we must take necessary steps to reduce overpopulation.

Essay on Effects of Overpopulation in World (400 words) – Essay 3

There are many effects of overpopulation in the world. Overpopulation in a place causes scarcity of available resources leading to deprivation and poverty. Moreover, it also causes unemployment, as the number of persons in need of a particular job, large outgrows the total number of actual vacancies. Two of the most common effects of overpopulation- social and health are discussed below.

Effects of Overpopulation in World

• Social Effects of Overpopulation

There are a variety of social effects of overpopulation, ranging from, poverty, unemployment, poor hygienic conditions and a scarcity of resources for a community. When the population of a particular area rises beyond the destined capacity of that place, then a number of changes in the society are witnessed.

For example, if a fresh water resource is used by more people than it can sustain; then such situation often results in conflicts. People tend to fight with each other over the use of resources.

Overpopulation also leads to scarcity of food and unemployment, causing large scale poverty, hunger and poor hygiene.

• Effects of Overpopulation on Health

Overpopulation also has an adverse effect on health of an individual, due to scarcity of food and other resources. The food and other resources, those had been available in abundance, become scarce, when the population of a place grows beyond a specific limit. Moreover, overpopulation is directly related to unemployment and latter could be directly associated to malnutrition and depleting health conditions.

Many people living in a crowded area also results in habitat destruction, reducing the quality of air and other vital parameters, resulting in poor health condition. As more people start living in an area, it becomes imperative to cut down trees and clear vegetation to make houses for them. Thus, begins the vicious cycle of materialistic growth compromising the health and fitness of humans.

People residing in populated areas are often seen living in poor health and hygienic conditions with no access to basic health amenities, clean air and clean water.

Overpopulation in area causes evident social and health effects on the individuals and the society as a whole. From poor health and hygiene conditions to natural resource depletion, unemployment and increase in criminal activities – overpopulation has a hand in all these adversities. It therefore becomes important that we take necessary remedial measures before the populations goes beyond the specified limit.

Essay on Solutions of Overpopulation in World (500 words) – Essay 4

The problem of overpopulation is grave, but as every problem has a solution, so overpopulation too has solutions; though, it may take some time before the results are evident, but the effort would be worth it. Below, the solutions for overpopulation in the world, India and other developing countries along with the government’s efforts in reducing overpopulation are discussed below.

Solutions of Overpopulation in World

Solutions to eliminate overpopulation in the world are discussed below. For the convenience of understanding, in this heading we will discuss the matter of overpopulation only in developed countries.

The main reason behind the concentration of population over a particular area in developed countries is the availability of resources and better growth opportunities. People tend to concentrate over the place where irrigation, water, electricity and other amenities are available in abundance. Necessary efforts must be made by the respective government to make the basic public amenities to the people in their native place of residence.

Any political or military conflict must be resolved quickly by the intervention of world community to prevent cross border migration and population complications at other places.

Solution of Overpopulation in India and other Developing Countries

The main causes of overpopulation in India and other countries are poverty, illiteracy and lack of basic knowledge about family planning. Majority of population in India and other developing nations, still reside in villages, where they lack basic education and other facilities than the cities.

People residing in villages still shy from talking on issues like family planning and use of contraceptives is considered a taboo. Therefore, awareness through education seems to be the only appropriate solution for a developing country like India.

People must be told about the significance of family planning and that shying away from it will only aggravate their financial crisis and reduce their social status. It is indeed more economical and practical to feed a family of four than a family of six or ten members. Also, they must be insisted to use contraceptives and that it is necessary for their family’s welfare and overall health.

What is Government doing about Overpopulation?

The government’s agenda to eliminate overpopulation include acting up on the root causes – education and health care. Despite making a number of reforms in these two sectors, the government is also making efforts to make people aware of family planning. A well trained team of doctors and paramedical staff in the primary health centers across the country are educating people about the advantages of a small family and its overall effects on the nation’s growth.

They also teach people about the use of contraceptives to eliminate the possibility of conception. The government is also distributing free contraceptives to remote locations through the PHCs.

The most important solutions to overpopulation are education and awareness of people. The more educated and aware the people are, the more remote will be the possibility of overpopulation. The government has made considerable effort towards keeping the population under control but a lot more still needed to be done.

Long Essay on Overpopulation in World (600 words) – Essay 5

Overpopulation in the world is a global phenomenon and is more evident in developing and underdeveloped countries. Even the developed countries witness a large influx of migratory population from the developing and under developed countries. In the following essay we will discuss on the causes of overpopulation, the problems of overpopulation, state of overpopulation in India and other developing countries and the solution of overpopulation.

What Causes Overpopulation?

1) Illiteracy

Illiteracy is one of the main causes of overpopulation in any country over the world. The countries lacking on the front of education have more population growth than others.

2) Lack of Awareness

Lack of public awareness about family planning issues is one of the prime reasons for overpopulation. People are not aware of the effects of overpopulation and its effects on the society and nation. The act is in disregard to their own financial constraints.

3) Poor Health Facilities

Poor condition of basic health amenities is also a prime cause of overpopulation. Absence of a medical professional and non availability of contraceptives, leads to incessant growth in population.

Problems related to the Overpopulation

1) Resources Depletion

Overpopulation causes the depletion of resources over a particular area. As the number of people using a specific resource increases, its fast consumption results in rapid depletion. Vital resource like food and water become scarce in case of overpopulation. Even the basic health and transport facilities become rare.

2) Unemployment

Unemployment is one of the most severe consequences of overpopulation. If the number of people in an area increases beyond limit; however, the number of vacancies in different sectors, by and large remain the same, thereby increasing unemployment. Thus, unemployment becomes a significant ill effect of overpopulation.

Poverty is the next consequence of unemployment caused by overpopulation. However, poverty is also related to scarcity resources and basic amenities of health and education, caused by overpopulation. A crowded place will always have poor employment opportunities, leading to poverty. It is considered as one of the most prominent consequences of population explosion, by the economists of the world.

4) Poor Law and Order

Factors like poverty, unemployment, depletion of natural resources result in poor law and order condition. People fight with each other over vital resources like water and food. Unemployment leads to poverty forcing people to take up illegal professions of robbery and theft, to meet their requirements.

Overpopulation in India and other Developing Countries

Overpopulation in India and similar developing countries is a great cause of concern, as it has many adverse effects on the nation’s progress and growth. All the development loses its sheen due to overpopulation. The state of public transport system and other basic amenities degrades quickly due to large number of people using them.

Overpopulation Solutions

Making the people aware of the ill effects of overpopulation is the most significant method to eliminate the latter. This awareness must be brought by education and advertising through different modes of communication. When people understand that the quality of life depends on the total number of family members, and the lesser the members the more good the finances will be; the fight against overpopulation will become much easier.

Overpopulation leads to various social, economical and developmental issues. It is therefore imperative that the world comes together on the issue of overpopulation and take necessary steps towards eliminating it. Unless the population of the world is kept under control, it would not be possible to achieve the development that the world seeks.

More Information:

• Essay on World Population Day
• Essay on Population
• Essay on Population Growth
• Essay on Family Planning in India
• Paragraph on Population

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Guest Essay

The New Movie ‘Civil War’ Matters for Reasons Different Than You Think

By Stephen Marche

Mr. Marche is the author of “The Next Civil War.”

“Not one man in America wanted the Civil War, or expected or intended it,” Henry Adams, grandson of John Quincy Adams, declared at the beginning of the 20th century. What may seem inevitable to us in hindsight — the horrifying consequences of a country in political turmoil, given to violence and rived by slavery — came as a shock to many of the people living through it. Even those who anticipated it hardly seemed prepared for its violent magnitude. In this respect at least, the current division that afflicts the United States seems different from the Civil War. If there ever is a second civil war, it won’t be for lack of imagining it.

The most prominent example arrives this week in the form of an action blockbuster titled “Civil War.” The film, written and directed by Alex Garland, presents a scenario in which the government is at war with breakaway states and the president has been, in the eyes of part of the country, delegitimized. Some critics have denounced the project, arguing that releasing the film in this particular election year is downright dangerous. They assume that even just talking about a future national conflict could make it a reality, and that the film risks becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy. This is wrong.

Not only does this criticism vastly overrate the power of the written word or the moving image, but it looks past the real forces sending the United States toward ever-deeper division: inequality; a hyperpartisan duopoly; and an antiquated and increasingly dysfunctional Constitution. Mere stories are not powerful enough to change those realities. But these stories can wake us up to the threats we are facing. The greatest political danger in America isn’t fascism, and it isn’t wokeness. It’s inertia. America needs a warning.

The reason for a surge in anxiety over a civil war is obvious. The Republican National Committee, now under the control of the presumptive nominee, has asked job candidates if they believe the 2020 election was stolen — an obvious litmus test. Extremism has migrated into mainstream politics, and certain fanciful fictions have migrated with it. In 1997, a group of Texas separatists were largely considered terrorist thugs and their movement, if it deserved that title, fizzled out after a weeklong standoff with the police. Just a few months ago, Texas took the federal government to court over control of the border. Armed militias have camped out along the border. That’s not a movie trailer. That’s happening.

But politicians, pundits and many voters seem not to be taking the risk of violence seriously enough. There is an ingrained assumption, resulting from the country’s recent history of global dominance coupled with a kind of organic national optimism, that in the United States everything ultimately works out. While right-wing journalists and fiction writers have been predicting a violent end to the Republic for generations — one of the foundational documents of neo-Nazism and white supremacy is “The Turner Diaries” from 1978, a novel that imagines an American revolution that leads to a race war — their writings seem more like wish fulfillment than like warnings.

When I attended prepper conventions as research for my book, I found their visions of a collapsed American Republic suspiciously attractive: It’s a world where everybody grows his own food, gathers with family by candlelight, defends his property against various unpredictable threats and relies on his wits. Their preferred scenario resembled, more than anything, a sort of postapocalyptic “Little House on the Prairie.”

We’ve seen more recent attempts to grapple with the possibility of domestic conflict in the form of sober-minded political analysis. Now the vision of a civil war has come to movie screens. We’re no longer just contemplating a political collapse, we’re seeing its consequences unfold in IMAX.

“Civil War” doesn’t dwell on the causes of the schism. Its central characters are journalists and the plot dramatizes the reality of the conflict they’re covering: the fear, violence and instability that a civil war would inflict on the lives of everyday Americans.

That’s a good thing. Early on when I was promoting my book, I remember an interviewer asking me whether a civil war wouldn’t be that terrible an option; whether it would help clear the air. The naïveté was shocking and, to me, sickening. America lost roughly 2 percent of its population in the Civil War. Contemplating the horrors of a civil war — whether as a thought experiment or in a theatrical blockbuster — helps counteract a reflexive sense of American exceptionalism. It can happen here. In fact, it already has.

One of the first people to predict the collapse of the Republic was none other than George Washington. “I have already intimated to you the danger of parties in the state, with particular reference to the founding of them on geographical discriminations,” he warned in his Farewell Address. “This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our nature.” This founder of the country devoted much of one of his most important addresses, at the apex of his popularity, to warning about the exact situation the United States today finds itself in: a hyper-partisanship that puts party over country and risks political collapse. Washington knew what civil war looked like.

For those Americans of the 1850s who couldn’t imagine a protracted, bloody civil war, the reason is simple enough: They couldn’t bear to. They refused to see the future they were part of building. The future came anyway.

The Americans of 2024 can easily imagine a civil war. The populace faces a different question and a different crisis: Can we forestall the future we have foreseen? No matter the likelihood of that future, the first step in its prevention is imagining how it might come to pass, and agreeing that it would be a catastrophe.

Stephen Marche is the author of “The Next Civil War.”

Source photographs by Yasuhide Fumoto, Richard Nowitz and stilllifephotographer, via Getty Images.

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