Population can be referred to as the number of people living in particular area over a period of time. This population of Nigeria as at 2006, according to population census was 14 million but today (2015) the population of Nigeria is over 180 million.
BASIC UNITS OF POPULATION
Population is made up of
- The family
- The community
- The family: a family is a group of people related by blood, marriage or adoption
- The Community: A community is defined as a group of people who often live close to each other and work together to achieve a common goal e.g. town, cities, schools etc.
POPULATION CONCEPTS
- Over population
- Optimum population
- Under population
- Over Population: This refers to a situations where country is available resources are less than the population. This means that the population is too large for the available resources which may cause low standard of living.
BENEFITS OF OVERPOPULATION
- Availability of sufficient labour/labour force
- Available large market for goods and services
- Easy dissemination of information
- It is easy to get aids from international organization
- It is easy to recruit large army for Defence
PROBLEMS OF OVER POPULATIONS
- Increase in social vices and crimes
- Pressure on social amenities
- Overcrowding and congestion problems
- High cost of living
- Low standards of living
- High rate of unemployment
- Environmental pollution
CONTROL OF OVER POPULATION
- Family planning
- Monogamy should be encouraged
- Late marriage
- Public enlightment
- Strict immigration
- Sex education
See also