The process of population growth and migration have created more positive than

negative effects in Manila. To what extend is this statement true?

Manila is the capital and second-largest city of the Philippines, a newly

industrialised country (NIC) and one of the 16 cities that comprise Metro Manila,
which has an overall population of 12.8 million. The city of Manila has a population
of 1.78 million in 2016 and Metro Manila is the world's most densely populated city
with 42,857 people per square kilometre. The country through several years has been
going through two processes that have contributed to significant social, economic and
demographical changes: increasing population and internal migration. The population
growth rate in Manila is approximately 1,6% which makes the city unsustainable as
infrastructure development cannot keep peace with the growth rate of population. The
growth rate in Manila has been greater than 1% since at least 1990 and it is said that
in 1950 the growth rate was even around 3,25%. Internal migrants in the Philippines
constitute a significant population and approximately 2.9 million Filipinos changed
residence between 2005 and 2010. The main reason for interna migration in the
country is rural and agricultural poverty which has driven internal migrants to seek
opportunities in urban areas such as Metro Manila.
Population growth has contributed to increased economic activity in Manila
which accounts for approximately 37% of the total GDP of the country as well as
increased capital and foreign investment due to a huge proportion of youth in their
population (around 20% of the population are in the 15-24-year group age). They are
said to be the innovative minds who drive a technological change in the region. The
young population of the country contributed to growth of the outsourcing industry
(related to data entry services, call centres and graphic design) that plays a huge role
in Filipino economy. It has also caused a "snowballing effect", because as more
companies outsource to Manila the workforce becomes more skilled and attracts a
wider range of companies.
On the other hand, increased population has contributed to a wide range of
social problems related to lack of housing, increased urbanisation, pollution and
traffic congestion. Lack of housing causes many people to live in shanty houses that
lack drinking water, electricity, education, proper healthcare and sanitation.
Consequently, lack of drinking water contributes to the spread of severe illnesses
through shanty towns and due to poor healthcare in those areas many people are
subjected to death and health deterioration. Due to lack of appropriate number of
housing there is also a great number of informal settlement. The number of informal
settlers in the Philippines has increased from 4.1% of total urban population in 2003
to 5.4% in 2012. Increased population contributed also to increased strains on public
transport and what comes with it— lower productivity as workers cannot commute to
work on time. Moreover, greater number of car travels causes each year much
pollution and diminishes the good quality of air which again makes citizens more
prone to various diseases.
When it comes to internal migration it has also a very positive impact on the
economy, because migration to Manila brings labour force and increases
productivity. It is claimed that at least 75% of migrants find jobs in their areas of
destination. Unfortunately, it has also negative impacts as it widens the gap between
and the urban and rural areas, where population of urban areas is left behind.
Moreover, the outflow of the young labour force and the best-educated individuals
from rural areas poses challenges to rural agricultural productivity. The fact that most
remittances are invested in non- land assets strongly suggests that migration forces a
transition out of agriculture into different sectors.
In conclusion, rapid population growth and migration have positive effect on
the economy of Philippines, however, they contribute to great strains on living
conditions, which cause many people to die from poverty which is caused by
unsustainable life. In my opinion these two processes allowed Philippines to go
through a transformation of its sectors, however, it has all been done at a great risk to
humanity.