IGNATIUS AJURU UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION

RUMUOLUMENI, P.M.B. 5047,

PORT HARCOURT

AN ASSIGNMENT
BY

NAME: SAMUEL PRECIOUS AMARACHUKWU

MATRIC NO: U/2019/5252

DEPARTMENT: SOCIOLOGY

FACULTY: SOCIAL SCIENCE

COURSE TITLE: DEMOGRAPHY AND POPULATION

STUDIES

COURSE CODE: SOC 413

LEVEL: 400

COURSE LECTURER: DR. BENNETT ORJI

QUESTION

DO A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE RATE OF POPULATION

GROWTH OF ANY THIRD WORLD COUNTRY VERSUS ANY
EUROPEAN NATION AND DISCUSS THE IMPLICATION ON BOTH
ECONOMIES

APRIL, 2023
1
Introduction

Third world countries, also known as developing countries, often have higher
population growth rates than European nations. This is due to various factors such
as lower access to family planning and healthcare, cultural beliefs, and higher
fertility rates. For example, Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest population growth
rate in the world, with an estimated growth rate of 2.7% in 2020. In contrast,
European nations have much lower population growth rates, with some countries
even experiencing population decline. For example, Germany had a negative
population growth rate of -0.3% in 2020. A developing country is a sovereign
state with a lesser developed industrial base and a lower Human Development
Index (HDI) relative to other countries. However, this definition is not universally
agreed upon. There is also no clear agreement on which countries fit this category.
The term low and middle-income country (LMIC) is often used interchangeably
but refers only to the economy of the countries. The World Bank classifies the
world's economies into four groups, based on gross national income per capita:
high, upper-middle, lower-middle, and Land low income countries.  Least
developed countries, landlocked developing countries and Small Island developing
states are all sub-groupings of developing countries. Countries on the other end of
the spectrum are usually referred to as high-income countries or developed
countries.

Population growth of Mexico as a third world country

Mexico is a country in North America with a population of over 130 million

people. The population growth rate of Mexico has been relatively steady over the
years, with a current growth rate of around 1.2% per year.

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The population growth rate has implications for the economy of the country.
Here are some ways in which population growth can affect the economy:

Labor force: A growing population means an increase in the size of the labor
force, which can help to drive economic growth. More workers mean more
production, which in turn can lead to higher GDP.

Consumption: A larger population means more consumers, which can drive

demand for goods and services. This can lead to increased economic activity and
can be positive for businesses.

Pressure on resources: A growing population can put pressure on resources such

as land, water, and energy. If the resources are not managed properly, this can lead
to environmental degradation and a negative impact on the economy.

Aging population: If the population growth rate slows down or even declines, it
can result in an aging population. This can put pressure on the economy as older
people may require more healthcare and other services, and there may be fewer
workers to support them.

In the case of Mexico, the growing population has both positive and negative
implications for the economy. On the positive side, the increasing labor force and
consumer base can help to drive economic growth. However, there may be
challenges in managing resources and providing services to a growing population.
Additionally, there may be implications for immigration policies, as Mexico's
proximity to the United States means that many people may seek to emigrate in
search of better economic opportunities. Overall, the population growth rate is an
important factor to consider when analyzing the economic prospects of a country
like Mexico.

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A comparative analysis of the rate of population growth of United Kingdom
as a European country

The United Kingdom has experienced relatively steady population growth in recent
years. According to the World Bank, the UK's population was estimated to be
around 66.65 million in 2020, an increase of approximately 0.6% from the
previous year.

In terms of the implications for the UK's economy, population growth can have
both positive and negative effects. On the positive side, a growing population can
stimulate economic growth by increasing demand for goods and services, driving
innovation and entrepreneurship, and expanding the labor force. This can lead to
increased productivity and economic output.

However, population growth can also lead to challenges such as strain on

infrastructure and public services, particularly if the growth is concentrated in
certain regions. This can lead to issues such as housing shortages, increased traffic
congestion, and overcrowding in public transport. Additionally, an aging
population can place a burden on the healthcare system and pension schemes,
particularly if the ratio of retirees to workers increases.

Therefore, policymakers in the UK will need to carefully consider the implications

of population growth on the economy and take steps to manage its impacts. This
may involve investing in infrastructure and public services to accommodate
growth, as well as addressing demographic shifts through measures such as
immigration policies, incentives for families to have children, and programs to
support an aging population.

4
Comparative analysis of the rate of population growth of Mexico and United
Kingdom and the implication on both economics

According to the World Bank data, the population of Mexico in 2020 was
approximately 130 million, while the population of the United Kingdom was
around 67 million. The rate of population growth in Mexico has been higher than
that of the United Kingdom in recent years. From 2010 to 2020, the average annual
population growth rate in Mexico was 1.3%, while the United Kingdom had an
average annual population growth rate of 0.5% over the same period.

The higher population growth rate in Mexico can have both positive and negative
implications for the economy. On the positive side, a larger population can mean a
larger workforce and potentially more consumers, which can boost economic
growth. This can be seen in Mexico, where the growing population has helped to
fuel economic growth in recent years.

However, a rapidly growing population can also put a strain on resources and
infrastructure. For example, there may be increased demand for housing,
healthcare, and education, which can be challenging to provide for everyone.
Additionally, if the population growth is not accompanied by sufficient economic
growth, it can lead to high levels of unemployment and poverty.

On the other hand, the slower population growth rate in the United Kingdom can
also have positive and negative implications for the economy. A smaller
population can mean lower demand for resources and infrastructure, which can be
beneficial in terms of sustainability and environmental impact. However, a smaller
population also means a smaller workforce and potentially fewer consumers, which
can limit economic growth.
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Conclusion

While the rate of population growth can have both positive and negative
implications for the economy, it is just one of many factors that affect economic
development. Other factors such as education, technology, natural resources, and
political stability can also have a significant impact on the economic growth of a
country. Therefore, policymakers in the UK will need to carefully consider the
implications of population growth on the economy and take steps to manage its
impacts. This may involve investing in infrastructure and public services to
accommodate growth, as well as addressing demographic shifts through measures
such as immigration policies, incentives for families to have children, and
programs to support an aging population.

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