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Population Growth Research Essay: Comparison of Canada and Japan

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May 31, 2024

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Population Growth Research Essay: Comparison of Canada and Japan

Humanity’s environmental effects tend to be complex and diverse, as technology and

population growth influence how we interact with the natural environment. Past studies have

affirmed that the more people there are, the bigger the likelihood of impacting the environment

adversely. With this knowledge in mind, this report offers a comparative analysis of Canada and

Japan, two countries with different population growth trajectories. With Canada’s growing

population rate and poor personal consumption patterns, there is a greater need to emulate

Japan’s negative population growth rate and the decentralization and localization of food

production to reduce the country’s ecological footprint.

Human Population Growth and Personal Consumption in Canada and Japan

The Case of Canada

Halpert and Fitzgerald (2023) report that Canada recorded a one-million population

increase in 2022, the first time in history. The number marks a 0.85% increase in population

growth from 2021. Canada is heavily reliant on immigrants as a source of labour, and the high

migration rate is increasing land pressure in urban areas (Halpert & Fitzgerald, 2023).81.4% of

the population lives in towns and cities, resulting in a population density of 4 per square

kilometer (UN Revision, n.d.). The urban pop has been having an adverse effect on the country’s

fertility rate, with the indicator changing from 3.14 in 1965 to 1.47 in 2023 (UN Revision, n.d.).

However, health and care technology improvements have led to a lower mortality rate. From 30

deaths per 1000 births in 1965 to 6 per 1000 births in 2023 (UN Revision, n.d.). Improvements in

care and migration are among the primary cause of Canada’s massive population growth rate.

An analysis of personal consumption in Canada makes the country among the worst

carbon emitters globally. A comparative report by 1.5 Degree Lifestyles, focusing on food diets,
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housing, and personal transportation, found that Canadian produce nearly 14.2 tons of carbon

dioxide (Bernstein, 2021). The amount was significantly higher compared to Finland’s 9.7 tons

and the United Kingdom’s 8.5 tons. Canadians eat a lot of meat, live in large houses, and use

petroleum-based vehicles (Bernstein, 2021). Such lifestyle choices translate into larger carbon

footprints. The statistics indicate that there is a great need for individual behaviour changes with

regard to energy consumption in Canada.

The Case of Japan

The situation in Japan is very different from that of Canada. Since the onset of the

millennium, Japan has mainly recorded a negative population growth rate. The most recent value

is -0.47% (World Population Review, n.d.). The country’s birth rate is at its lowest since the start

of the 20th century, with the fertility rate at 1.45 births per woman (World Population Review,

n.d.). Most residents claim the economy is not suitable for large families, but there is also the

issue of land availability. Japan has one of the highest population densities at 338 persons per

square kilometer (World Population Review, n.d.). Despite these challenges, the Japanese

government has been incentivizing people to give birth and form families.

While Japan has one of the greatest population densities, economic decentralization and

food localization have reduced its ecological footprints. A 2021 study revealed that the carbon

dioxide emissions in the country were 8.46 metric tons per capita, which is significantly lower

compared to Canada's (Long et al., 2023). Decentralization has led to the reemergence of old

towns, meaning more people moving from urban to rural settlements. Japan is also recording a

shift in feeding habits, with people moving from processed to fresh foods (Long et al., 2023).

The change is associated with a reduced ecological footprint and improved personal wellbeing.

An Expanding Population and its Impact on Consumption

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The Case of Canada

Personal consumption that cannot keep up with growth results in overconsumption,

meaning an individual consumes more resources than they require or that the national

environment can provide. The contribution of Canada’s natural resources to its population has

been declining over the years, with most gains coming from a growing aged and migrant

population (Statistics Canada, n.d.). With a declining fertility rate, the exponential growth rate in

the country has been decreasing. As immigration continues to be the key driver of population

growth, putting pressure on natural resources, it is estimated that the country’s natural population

growth rate might fall to zero in two decades (Statistics Canada, n.d.). The net-zero result is

based on a sigmoid calculation that projects the fertility rates will go below the replacement level

of 2.1 children per woman (Statistics Canada, n.d.). Therefore, two decades from now is when

the growth rate begins to flatten for the country.

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Exponential growth from 1851-2061, Flattening from 2033-2035; Retrieved from Statistics

Canada

In ten years, Canada’s natural increase will still be experiencing exponential growth, but

at reduced levels than it is today. With the anticipated fertility rate of 1.59 children per woman in

2033 and the current population standing at 38.25, the exponential calculation comes to a

population size of 44.11 million in 2033. There is sufficient reason to believe that

overconsumption and overpopulation in Canada will magnify each other impacts on the natural

environment in ten or more years. The people will demand more fertile fishing and agricultural

grounds, displacing wildlife and depleting natural forests.

The Case of Japan

Japan’s negative population growth rate suggests that the country should record a

substantial decline in its population in a decade. However, important to note is that despite this

decrease, Japan remains one of the most populated nations globally. Japan might be smaller, but

it has more people than Canada. Therefore, significant pressure remains on natural resources,

such as land and food (World Population Review, n.d.). As of 2019, Japan had a population of

124.8 million people. With a negative population rate of -0.47%, the estimated population size

for 2033 should be 118.7 million. The graph below visually represents how different Japanese

age groups will decline within the next ten years.

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Japan’s estimated population in 2023; Retrieved from World Population Review (n.d.)

Unlike Canada, Japan has a more complicated relationship between its personal

consumption and natural resources due to its population size. As aforementioned, despite

recording a population decline, Japan has a much greater need to reduce its ecological footprint.

Even with a population of 118 million in 2033, Japan will have to depend on technological

innovations to decarbonize and reduce the energy demand (Oshiro et al., 2021). Foremost, at the

sociocultural level, the country needs to continue minimizing the spread of the population to

cities by revitalizing the rural areas. Japan has many old and abandoned towns that can become

safe havens for the present and future generations. The country also needs to continue

emphasizing fresh foods from local smallholder farms to reduce the energy consumed in
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manufacturing of processed foods (Oshiro et al., 2021). Fresh foods also mean improved health

and wellbeing. Further innovations in sustainable renewable energy in the present industries

would further enhance the country’s decarbonization efforts.

Conclusion

Japan and Canada are miles apart in the relationship between population growth and

ecological footprints. Despite having a smaller population with a positive growth rate, the

consumption habits of Canadians amplify their national carbon footprint. The country’s diet is

largely meat-based, and there is still a preference for fossil fuels. Canada should reverse this

pattern to reduce its carbon emissions while ensuring natural growth is the main driver of

population increments and not immigration. On the other hand, despite having a bigger

population and a negative growth rate, Japan’s personal consumption behaviours result in a

lower ecological footprint. The country’s diet is largely plant-based, there is an emphasis on

renewable energy, and there is migration from urban to rural centers. Nevertheless, Japan’s

massive population means it still has more to do to reduce the pressure on its natural resources.
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References

Bernstein, J. (2021, October 12). Canadians are among the world’s worst carbon emitters. Here

is what we can do about it. CBC News, https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/how-canadians-

can-cut-carbon-footprints-1.6202194

Halpert, M. & Fitzgerald, J. (2023, March 23). Immigration fuels Canada’s largest population

growth of over 1 million. BBC News, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-

65047436

Long, Y., Yoshida, Y., Jiang, Y., Huang, L., Yosuke, S. & Kanemoto, K. (2023). Japanese urban

household carbon footprints during the early state COVID-19 pandemic were consistent

with those over the past decade. NPJ Urban Sustainability, 3(19).

https://doi.org/10.1038/s42949-023-00095-z

Oshiro, K., Fujimori, S., Ochi, Y. & Ehara, T. (2021). Enabling energy system transition toward

decarbonization in Japan through energy service demand reduction. Energy Journal,

227(15). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2021.120464

Statistics Canada. (n.d.). Population growth: Migratory increase overtakes natural increase.

Statistics Canada, https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/11-630-x/11-630-x2014001-

eng.htm

UN Revision. (n.d.). Population: Canada. World Meter, https://www.worldometers.info/world-

population/canada-population/

World Population Review. (n.d.) Japan population 2023. World Population Review,

https://worldpopulationreview.com/countries/japan-population
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