Nyaupane 1 Netra Nyaupane Ms. Meredith ENGL 1002-64117 25 April 2022 Overpopulation in Developing Countries I have clear memories of the resource shortage my community experienced when I was a youngster growing up in a remote Nepalese hamlet. Our access to school was constrained by poverty and a lack of infrastructure, and we had to go kilometers to gather water from a river that was sometimes tainted. I also recall the obvious negative repercussions of population increase on the environment, such as the overuse of our agricultural areas and the depletion of our natural resources. The pollution has been increasing day by day since my childhood in my village. Those who can afford to go to the bigger cities went there for the better services and the opportunities and the only left in society are older people and those who cannot afford it, which is playing a big role in degrading our villages’ economic status. Unfortunately, the problem of overpopulation is still in the many developing nations, and I think Developing countries’ governments must develop sustainable population control strategies, invest in education and family planning services, support sustainable agriculture, and encourage responsible consumption behaviors since population growth rates are already high, and it is impacting on natural resources which is contributing to poverty and inequality. In the developing nations, overpopulation is not a new problem it was always a subject of major concern. According to the United Nation, by 2050, the human population in the earth is Nyaupane 2 expected to increase to around 9.7 billion people (Population). The most impacted sector due to overpopulation is natural resources which leads to problems like poverty, food insecurity, and environmental degradation. The UN Population Fund asserts that "the world's poorest people are the ones who suffer most from rapid population growth" (Population). The depletion of resources causes economic instability and violence, which affects entire society as well as individuals. Moreover, population dynamics are changing around the world and can impact resources availability, consumption patterns, and environmental sustainability. A rise in population might cause a drop in living standards. According to Meade, "The fast population expansion in many developing nations has challenged their ability to provide their people with appropriate food, shelter, healthcare, and education" (Meade 235). Conflicts within society might result from unequal access to necessities like food, housing, and work because of the increasing competition for resources. Population expansion also makes racial and political problems worse. Meade states, "Rapid population growth can strain political systems and exacerbate ethnic tensions as different groups compete for power and resources" (Meade 250). As population increases, the demands of the people also rise. But the government of many developing countries may not have enough resources to meet the public’s expectations, which will result in political instability and unrest. There are many methods which can be useful to control overpopulation in developing countries. First, sustainable population control measures like family planning services and education must be given top priority by governments in developing countries. Julie Davanzo and David Adamson state "Family planning is one of the most beneficial and cost-effective public health interventions available to developing countries" (Davanzo). Family planning helps control population growth by giving individuals and couples the tools they need to make informed Nyaupane 3 choices about the gap between two children and number of their children. This can have significant benefits for the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities. Education is also essential since it gives people the power to decide for themselves how to handle their reproductive health and aids in ending the cycle of poverty. Education helps people to teach how to use technology effectively to reduce the problems raised because of overpopulation. Education can play a great role in reducing poverty, which is a main contributor to the overpopulation. When people are educated, they are more likely to have access to betterpaying jobs and opportunities. This can help overcome poverty and reduce the need for large families to support them. In addition, education can help people understand the importance of sustainable resource management, which can help reduce the strain on the environment caused by overpopulation. In addition, sustainable agriculture plays a crucial role in decreasing the environmental effects due to overpopulation. To prevent the depletion of natural resources, this includes utilizing farming techniques that are beneficial to the environment, such crop rotation and organic farming. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), "Education for sustainable development can help promote agricultural practices that are socially and environmentally responsible" (Education). Education is a critical component in achieving sustainable development, and UNESCO has been leading the way in promoting education for sustainable development (ESD) since the 1990s (Education). People who are educated tend to understand the consequences of overpopulation and the importance of limiting family size. With education, people become aware of the benefits of having a smaller family, such as increased financial stability and better access to education and healthcare. This knowledge can lead to a decrease in the birth rate, which in turn can help control overpopulation. Nyaupane 4 The stress on natural resources can also be lessened by adopting responsible consumption habits, such as minimizing food waste and selecting sustainable products. It is critical to understand that solving this issue involves a team effort from people, governments, and organizations. “The world's resources are limited, and yet we continue to want more and more” (Dimick). For developing countries to make their place habitable for the future generations, they need to make many policies regarding the usage of resources. It is up to every one of us to accept accountability for what we are doing and help overcome the problem of overpopulation by following the various methods. In conclusion, to decrease problems arising due to the overpopulation, developing nations must prioritize sustainable population control measures, make investments in family planning and education, support sustainable agriculture, and promote responsible consumption. If the problem of overpopulation in the developing countries is going to be solved, it will help the people of that country to access many opportunities and good natural resources. The country itself will have a less poverty rate which will enhance the economic status of the country. The government can provide better education to everyone and the development of the country will gradually increase. Nyaupane 5 Works Cited Davanzo, Julie, and David M. Adamson. “Family Planning in Developing Countries: An Unfinished Success Story.” RAND Corporation, 17 Aug. 1998, https://www.rand.org/pubs/issue_papers/IP176.html. Accessed 20 Mar. 2023. Dimick, Dennis. “As World's Population Booms, Will Its Resources Be Enough for Us?” Science, National Geographic, 21 Sept. 2014, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/140920-population-11billiondemographics-anthropocene. “Education for Sustainable Development.” UNESCO.org, UNESCO, 1 Jan. 1970, https://www.unesco.org/en/education-sustainable-development. Meade, J. E. “Population Explosion, the Standard of Living and Social Conflict.” Economic Journal, vol. 77, no. 306, June 1967, pp. 233–255. Business Source Complete, EBSCOhost, https://doi.org/10.2307/2229302. “Population and Poverty.” United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA, 1 Jan. 2003, https://www.unfpa.org/publications/population-and-poverty. Accessed 23 Mar. 2023.
