Population Growth and Economic Development

Population Growth

An increase in population over a period of time; used the "per unit time" for measurement.

Economic Development

a policy intervention with aims of development of: human capital, literacy ratio, infrastructure, and health & general welfare of the citizens.

Economic Growth

a phenomenon of market productivity and rise in GDP.

Malthusian Theory

based on the idea that the population is becoming more and more rapid, but there are not enough resources to satisfy this eponential population.

Thomas Robert Malthus

a well-known economist who developed population growth theories and mentioned them in his book, 'An Essay on the Principle of Population.'; believed that the population will continue to outrun the growth of resources. He looked at the economy in a pessimistic manner and viewed poverty as unavoidable.

Geometric Progression

an order of numbers (excluding zero) wherein each number after the first is multiplied by the previous one by a fixed number (excluding zero) called the common ratio.

Arithmetic Progression

an order of numbers in which difference between the consecutive numbers is the same.

Presentive Check

This check involves consciously postponing marriage and reproduction because of a shortage of resources. This could be done by moral restriction or legal action.

Positive Check

This check involves situations that reduce the human lifespan. Health conditions and poverty can be considered under this check.

Malthusian Catastrophe

When the situations leads to deaths.

Malthusian Trap

refers to the idea that increased food production due to modern agricultural techniques lead to higher population levels, which could lead to a lack of food supply because the increased population will require to live on land that ould have previously been used to grow crops.