The consequences of high population growth in developing countries: a case study of South Africa

PhD. (Economics)This thesis studies population, the causes of population growth and changes and consequences of high population growth for communities and the environment. The study is divided into 9 chapters. Chapter 1 comprises a general introduction to population issues, the research problems, objectives and the deployment of the study. Chapter 2 analyses various theories of population growth. Chapter 3 compares population growth rates and the composition and structure of developed and developing countries. Comparisons of population migration in developed and developing countries and the impact of migration on the population composition and structure on the sending and receiving areas are analysed in Chapter 4. Chapter 5 discusses the consequences of population growth on the economic development of developing countries. Chapter 6 and 7 outline the impact of demographic trends on a population and also the population growth in South Africa. Population policies in the developed and developing countries are discussed in Chapter 8 and Chapter 9 gives the summary of the main findings and some tentative conclusions of the study. The important link that exists between population growth and the environment are investigated on both the macro and micro levels in this thesis. On the macro level the worldwide historical population growth and trends in developed and developing countries are compared and analysed. On the micro level an analyses is done on specific communities and regions. South Africa represents a microcosm of the whole world as far as its demographic composition and trends are concerned. The population growth rate, fertility levels and socio-economic factors of the black population resemble those of developing countries, while the non-black populations resemble that of the developed countries. The level of development among black people is also much lower than that of the other three populations. This lower level of development among particularly black women is an important factor in their lower level of contraceptive use and relatively high fertility rate. Much of the debate about the global relationship between population and environment remains polarised between two extreme positions. A comprehensive analysis of global demographic trends indicates that the world population problems are predominantly a concern of the developing countries and of the black population in South Africa. The high population growth in these countries has a negative effect on economic growth and development. Increases in population cancel out increases in aggregate output, keep average incomes low and stagnant. It also puts significant pressure on agricultural land, employment creation, urban housing and other infrastructure, as well as on access to quality education and health facilities. HIV/Aids is currently the leading cause of mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa and has a significantly negative impact on economic growth and development, as it decreases the standard of living. The study has found that high levels of unemployment and a low standard of living among black people increase their risk and vulnerability to HIV/Aids. Population policies that include factors that are commonly associated with fertility decline, such as education, urbanisation, improved status of women, employment opportunities for women and increased practice of family planning all contribute to fertility differentials within developed and developing countries and within communities. These factors are also effective even in those areas where prevailing cultures give a disposition to high fertility