By Olowu Oluwakemi
The phenomenon of population growth is said to have had so much impact on the growth of the economy such that the growth of the economy cannot be analysed without a good understanding of the trend of population growth. It is further generally believed that there is a positive relationship between population growth and the growth of the economy. However, the growing belief among academic economists of the present day is that population growth rate is not a sufficient determinant of the growth of the economy, but rather the composition and distribution of the population is what actually determines the growth rate of the economy.
Economists have worked extensively to get a better understanding of the relationship between population growth and growth of the economy. In as much as countries with high population would have a higher work force, it however does not automatically mean there would be a growth in the economy or that the economy would grow faster than other countries that are less populated. A look into the population trend of nations around the world has shown that a lot of well populated countries, such as Nigeria, are still under-developed or developing, while some less-populated countries, such as France are already developed. It should also be said that there are countries that are highly populated but at the same time developed, countries like China and India, readily come to mind. Likewise, we have less populated countries, such as Togo, which are still underdeveloped.
Going by 2006 Nigerian National Population Census, Nigeria had a population of one hundred and forty million, three thousand and five hundred and forty two (140,003,542) (National Bureau of Statistics, 2009).
The growth rate was 3.02 percent per annum. The population is capable of doubling itself in less than twenty three years. In addition, the United Nations estimates of 2009 put the Nigerian total population at one hundred and fifty one million, thirty thousand and four hundred (151,030,400). Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and also the most populous among the black nations of the world. Globally, Nigeria is among the ten top countries with the largest population, in fact, the seventh among the countries with the largest population in the world (United Nations, 2009). Nigerian population has gathered momentum. It will continue to increase for some time even if there is a favourable change towards family planning and birth control. Increasing population at the expense of socio-economic development is inimical to people’s well being and development. An increasing population has consequences and implications most especially for a country like Nigeria.
The population situation of Nigeria and issues related to it need to be discussed to bring many population related factors to the consciousness of people. For instance, Nigeria is suffering from wide spread poverty and rising unemployment. Moreover, there is mass movement of people from rural areas to urban areas thereby creating many social vices. This is because the available industries cannot afford to employ the growing number of labour force. For Nigeria to turn the tide of its economic misfortunes and mismanagement, it will have to take steps to raise domestic food production, labour productivity, reduction of absolute poverty, lower population growth among many other things. For the health of mother, child and welfare of the family, population growth should be monitored and regulated. Healthy family can help in socio-economic development while an unhealthy family is a liability to the government and society. It is also inimical to economic growth and development of the nation and the world at large.
Implications of a Rapidly Growing Nigerian population Growing populations like that of Nigeria has many effects. Some of them are explained below:
• An increasing population will increase dependency ratio and workers will have more mouths to feed. More children or aged people to cater for. There will be greater dependants on the working population. There will be social burden and economic liability on the working population. Having met their needs and that of their dependants, there will be little or nothing left out of the populace income. This will reduce savings and there will be a lower rate of capital formation. This in turn will hamper the socio-economic development of the country. This is one of the reasons why Nigeria is experiencing low capital formation and epileptic or very low socio-economic development. Increase demand without corresponding increase in production will bring about high cost of living. Many people will be chasing few goods and this will lead to upward movement of prices of commodities and services.
Demand and price are increasing in Nigeria due to population pressure and cost of living most especially in the urban areas. Many people in Nigeria are spending large percentage of their income on goods, services and children upkeep. Lagos and Abuja are typical examples.
• High and rapid population growth without corresponding social and economic growth will lead to inadequate social services and misuse due to heavy pressure on housing, educational facilities, roads, health facilities, water supply, etc due to overuse.
To forestall incessant breakdown of these facilities and also to meet the increasing demand for them, the government will spend more money on provision of more facilities and on the repair and maintenance of existing ones.
In Nigeria, there is an acute shortage of amenities in urban areas. There is frequent power failure. Shortage of pipe born water and inadequate tertiary
institutions are all due to population pressure.
Recommendations
• Population Policies in Nigeria should be reviewed and there should be comprehensive
evaluation of the impact of the population policy.
• Population factor is important in socio-economic development; therefore, population considerations should be taken into account at all levels of decision-making.
• It is necessary to promote accessibility to educational opportunities at least up to the secondary level to enhance job performance and ability to get good job.
• Efforts at providing reproductive health services should be doubled and intensified to meet
the increasing needs of the increasing population.
• Effort should be made by government and other concern institutions to solve the problems of unemployment, underemployment, inadequate social amenities etc.
CONCLUSION
The population of Nigeria has a built-in potential for rapid growth through natural increase. Nigerian population is growing rapidly without corresponding growth in socio-economic development. However, an increasing population without corresponding increase in the means of subsistence will breed poverty, diseases, unemployment and other social ills. Nigeria needs to
design an intervention programmes that will help in reducing population growth rate and stimulate socio-economic development. Government should create enabling environment that will facilitate savings, investment, innovation, entrepreneurship and technical know-how.
