Population Change:
It will take less than 5 seconds to read this sentence. As you were
reading, another 15 babies were born into this world. 6 of these babies
were being delivered in Africa. Population change in West Africa
results from natural increase and migration.
Africa's share of total world population is steadily increasing, remain relatively small to other world regions. However rates of natural increase are higher in Africa than any other continents. And since 45% of Africa's population is below the age of 15, the number is expected to double in 25 years.
Migration is an additional fact contributing to the population change. In west Africa, more than anywhere else in the world, most international migration is essentially an extension of internal migration. Borders are artificial as created by by The Europeans during colonization and centers of economic activities are often cut off from the hinterlands.In my own opinion, the artificial borders have caused too much dispute and havoc and have done more harm than good.
Economic and Social impacts:
Rapid population growth has serious social and economic impacts. In those countries experiencing the fastest rates of growth there are difficulties in supporting increasing populations. Fast population growth can be a stranglehold on economic development, as precious resources are swallowed by large numbers of dependents and countries lurch from one economic crisis to another.Some countries have reached or exceeded their resource limits and can be classified as over-populated.
The consequences of overpopulation:-Unemployment and underemployment
-environmental degradation
-wildlife losses
-pollution
-housing shortage
-lower living standards
-poor level of education and health care
Population growth inevitably results in a shrinking land base, some would say that this is not taking into consideration the extra demand for land that will come with the need to grow more crops to feed the growing populations, as far as I know, I think many countries in Africa aren't self sufficient in food and rely on imports and having the income to pay for them. (Could anyone please clarify?) And there could be other factors contributing to the food crisis is Africa, armed conflicts, mismanagement of food supplies, trade policies etc.
Increasing populations not only affect the land space, but also clean water. In many west Africa countries, the same water is used bot to deposit and transport the raw sewage and industrial waste, and for domestic consumption. The end effect of rapid population growth and poor health provision is the poverty cycle.
Managing population change:
Population increase threatens the stability of many West Africa nations. Women are being recognized as the key agents in the management of populations and in promoting sustainable development. Encouraging sustainsblae development is teh key to managing population change in Africa. Education has an important role in this process too.
I would like to raise a question, even though it might be a little controversial.
If Europe had not interfered with the history of Africa and had Africa pursued its own natural course, would Africa have developed the same way as other continents? I think it's highly possible. What do you think?
You need to be a member of Urgent Evoke to add comments!
Join Urgent Evoke