D3S: Demography and Health: Population Theory's - Essay Example

Demography and Health: Population Theorys Demography and Health: Population Theorys In demography, population growth specifically refers to how the number of human beings in a given population increases as time passes. The growth in population is regulated by the rate at which additional people are included to the existing population or are eliminated from the population. One of the greatest threats faced by the planet earth is that of being over populated by the human race. Since the earliest period of human existence, the population has been growing faster than the available resources could permit for human comfort and well being.

The population is almost reaching the world’s carrying capacity. Models of population growth include the logistic model and the Malthusian Growth Model (Dyson, 2010). This paper will look at population growth in chosen countries and answer related questions.Question 1According to the census data for Australia, before 1788 the population was between 750,000-1,000,000. The population after 1788 to the 90’s grew to 18,310,714. The population, according to the census of 2006 is 20,848,760. In contrast to the Australian population, the population of India was 1,270,260 in the year 1700.

Thereafter, it grew to 99,751,500 in the end of 90’s. According to the latest census that was conducted, the current population is 1,189,173,000. Malthus theory of population growth explains the growth. According to him, population grows at a rate that is geometric, that is, 1, 2, 4, while production of food develops mathematically, that is, 1, 2, and 3. This theory relates to population explosion witnessed in the 18th century. According to the theory; the number of individuals grows more rapidly than available food.

The present picture shows that the population is more than the resources available for human survival. This result is the same as the one predicted by Malthus in his theory.Question 2The Indian population has been on a steady rise since 1948 when it gained independence from Britain. It is expected to grow to over 1.4 billion before the year 2050. This population growth will be more than a 50% growth from the population size in the year 1990. The minimum postulation shows the population will gradually increase then slowly decline.

On the other hand, it has been projected that the population will steadily increase in size over a number of decades (Rowland, 2003). This increase in size will be more than double of 1990’s by mid next century. There has not been a significant amount of immigration; however there has been immigration to more affluent areas in the United States and United Kingdom, particularly for the skilled professionals.Question 3Depopulation refers to the decrease in human numbers, in a given region. The decrease in number may be as a result of diseases, hunger, violence or other epidemics.

There is a lot of concern in areas where population is more than resources that are available for use. When an area is overpopulated, the life sustaining resources are stressed, and this leads to a poor life quality (McKee, 2005). In addition, overpopulated areas, as opposed to required resources bring about lots of conflict and discomfort in humans. Rapid growth of population depletes the resources available on the earth’s surface and in turn affects human life; therefore, people should device ways of managing their surroundings.

India has adopted the green revolution and implemented better agricultural practices, for example, irrigation and use of environment friendly manure while Australia is self sufficient.Question 4The current population in Australia according to the census of 2006 is 20,848,760, while the latest in India is 1,189,173,000. According to a 2011 survey, Australia had a population growth rate of 1.4%, while India had a growth rate of 1.344%. The rule of 69 shows it will take Australia 96 years, and India 93 years to double its population.

ReferenceDyson, T. (2010). Population and development: The demographic transition. New York: Zed Books.McKee, J. K. (2005). Sparing nature: The conflict between human population growth and earths biodiversity. New Jersey: Rutgers University Press.Rowland, D. T. (2003). Demographic methods and concepts. New York: OUP Oxford.