OPTIMUM POPULATION AND

POPULATION EXPLOSION
Unit 1
 OPTIMUM POPULATION

Optimum population has been defined as that size

of population enabling per capita output of the
maximum orders accompanied by the highest
possible standards of living under a given set of
economic and technological conditions. Therefore,
optimum population lies between two extremes,
i.e., overpopulation and under-population.
 OPTIMUM POPULATION

Optimum population is a situation where

the number of individuals can be
accommodated in an area to the maximum
advantage of each individual.
 OPTIMUM POPULATION

Optimum population yields highest quality

of life, which means each person has
access to adequate food, water, energy and
air of highest quality, adequate medical
care, recreational facilities and cultural
outlets.
 UNDER POPULATION

If the actual population in a country is less

than the optimum or ideal population,
there will not be enough people to exploit
all the resources of the country fully. Thus,
the population and the per capita income
will be lower.
 OVER POPULATION

If the actual population is above the level of

optimum population, there will be too
many people to work efficiently and
produce the maximum goods and the
highest per capita income. As a result, the
per capita income becomes poorer than
before.
 POPULATION EXPLOSION

Population explosion refers to the rapid

and dramatic rise in world population that
has occurred over the last few hundred
years. Between 1959 and 2000, the world’s
population increased from 2.5 billion to 6.1
billion people.
 POPULATION EXPLOSION

increases in food production and distribution

Improvement in public health (water & sanitation)

Medical technology (vaccines and antibiotics)

Education