1.

1 A country which is overpopulated

Bangladesh
Definition: Overpopulation occurs in an area when there are too many
people relative to the amount of resources, leading to a lowering in
standards of living.

Causes of overpopulation in Bangladesh

1. Lack of knowledge about contraception and a reluctance to talk

about family planning, leads to high birth rate.
2. The majority of the population work in the primary sector Fact file
(agriculture). Many are subsistence farmers – large families are
useful.
Location: Southern Asia.
3. Lack of suitable medical facilities and vaccinations, therefore high
Population: 158 million people
infant mortality rates.
Area: 144,000 km².
4. A patriarchal society with little equality for women - hence high birth
Population Density: 1020 people/km²
rate.
Population Growth Rate: 1.3%
5. Children are viewed as an economic asset - their work can gain an
income.

Consequences of overpopulation in Bangladesh? Solutions to overpopulation

1. Over-cultivation in the rice valleys, resulting in the loss of soil  Provide education about
fertility. contraception and make condoms
2. Farmers are poor and cannot afford to replace the nutrients in the more widely available.
 Provide family planning
soil, so the soil remains infertile - this leads to insufficient supply of
education, especially to young
food, resulting in malnourishment. people and women – promote the
3. Many people migrate from the countryside to the cities putting benefits of having fewer
pressure on resources such as housing, healthcare, water and children.
sanitation and education  Raise literacy rates, especially
4. Many people live in shanty towns (‘bustees’) located on the edge of among girls – this will lead to
the Dhaka. These are semi-permanent, sub-standard, overcrowded improving the status of women
and lack amenities such as electricity, sewage disposal, and clean and greater equality.
water supplies.  Develop industry and increase
5. Traffic congestion problems and the release of nitrous oxide from exports – this will provide
exhaust fumes causes air pollution, causing respiratory problems education and keep wealth in the
such as asthma. country.
6. Competition for jobs leads to high unemployment rates, people  Improve infrastructure in rural
working in low paid informal sector and crime, especially drug areas, so more people can access
schools and hospitals.
trafficking and prostitution
7. Poor access to education in both rural and urban areas results in
many people being underqualified and therefore they struggle to
get a well-paid job and cannot escape the cycle of poverty.