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Unlock This CourseThe relationship between population and resources is one of the most important topics in geography. As populations grow, they need more food, water, energy and space. But resources aren't unlimited. This creates challenges that affect how countries develop economically and socially.
Key Definitions:
World population has grown dramatically since 1800. It took thousands of years to reach 1 billion people, but only 200 years to reach 8 billion. This rapid growth puts enormous pressure on Earth's resources and affects all economic sectors.
Geographers have developed different theories to explain how population and resources interact. The two main theories offer very different views on whether population growth is a problem or an opportunity.
Thomas Malthus (1798) argued that population grows exponentially (doubles regularly) whilst food production only grows arithmetically (increases by the same amount each time). This means population will eventually outstrip food supply, leading to famine, disease and war.
Positive checks: Famine, disease, war that reduce population. Preventive checks: Later marriage, contraception that slow population growth.
Some argue that parts of sub-Saharan Africa face Malthusian crises, with rapid population growth outpacing agricultural development and economic growth.
Malthus didn't predict technological advances in agriculture, medicine and contraception that have allowed much larger populations to be supported.
Ester Boserup (1965) argued the opposite: population growth drives innovation and technological development. When resources become scarce, people find new ways to produce more food and use resources more efficiently.
Boserup believed that "necessity is the mother of invention." As population pressure increases, societies develop new farming techniques, tools and technologies to support more people.
The Green Revolution (1960s-1980s) supports Boserupian theory. As population grew rapidly in Asia, scientists developed high-yielding crop varieties, improved irrigation and better fertilisers. Countries like India went from food importers to food exporters, showing how innovation can overcome resource constraints.
Population-resource relationships affect all three economic sectors differently. Understanding these impacts helps explain why some countries develop faster than others and how economic structures change over time.
The primary sector (farming, mining, fishing, forestry) is most directly affected by population-resource relationships. As populations grow, demand for food and raw materials increases, but land and resources are limited.
More people need more food, leading to intensive farming, deforestation and soil degradation. Marginal lands are brought into cultivation, often with poor results.
Growing populations demand more minerals, fossil fuels and timber. This can lead to over-exploitation and environmental damage, affecting long-term sustainability.
Overfishing and deforestation occur when population pressure exceeds the natural regeneration rate of these renewable resources.
Manufacturing and industry are affected by population changes in complex ways. Large populations can provide both labour and markets, but also create resource scarcity and environmental problems.
Rapid population growth can provide cheap labour for manufacturing, but also create unemployment if job creation doesn't keep pace. Countries like China and India have used large populations to become manufacturing centres.
Services are often the fastest-growing sector in countries experiencing population pressure. As agriculture becomes less viable, people move to cities and seek service jobs.
Cities experiencing rapid population growth often see explosive growth in informal services - street vendors, small shops, transport services. This can create economic opportunities but also urban problems.
Nigeria's population has grown from 45 million (1960) to over 200 million (2020). This has transformed its economy: agriculture's share of GDP fell from 70% to 25%, whilst services grew to 50%. Rapid urbanisation created Lagos as a major commercial centre, but also led to slums and infrastructure problems.
Modern approaches to population-resource relationships focus on sustainability - meeting today's needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet their needs.
Countries are developing new approaches to balance population needs with resource conservation. These strategies aim to break the cycle of resource depletion and environmental degradation.
Solar, wind and hydroelectric power reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Countries like Costa Rica generate almost all electricity from renewables.
Recycling and reusing materials reduces waste and resource consumption. The EU aims to become a circular economy by 2050.
Organic farming, crop rotation and precision agriculture maintain soil health whilst feeding growing populations.
Singapore has no natural water resources but supports 5.9 million people through innovation: water recycling (NEWater), desalination, rainwater collection and water imports. This shows how technology can overcome resource constraints in small, densely populated areas.
Different regions face different challenges based on their population growth rates, resource endowments and development levels. Understanding these variations helps explain global economic patterns.
Low population growth but high resource consumption per person. Focus on efficiency and renewable resources. Ageing populations create different economic challenges.
Rapid population growth with limited resources. Challenge is providing jobs, food and services for growing populations whilst protecting the environment.
The relationship between population and resources will continue to shape global development. Climate change, technological innovation and changing consumption patterns will create new challenges and opportunities.
Several trends will influence future population-resource relationships and their economic impacts.
Changing weather patterns affect agriculture and water resources. Some areas become less suitable for farming, whilst others may benefit from warmer temperatures.
Artificial intelligence, biotechnology and automation could revolutionise resource use and production, potentially supporting larger populations more sustainably.
By 2050, 68% of people will live in cities. Urban areas can be more resource-efficient but require careful planning to avoid environmental problems.