Population growth is the change in population over time, and can be quantified as the change in the number of individuals in a population using “per unit time” for measurement. The term population growth can technically refer to any species, but almost always refers to humans, and it is often used informally for the more specific demographic term population growth rate, and is often used to refer specifically to the growth of the population of the world.
The rapid growth of the world’s population over the past one hundred years results from a difference between the rate of birth and the rate of death. The human population will increase by 1 billion people in the next decade. This is like adding the whole population of China to the world’s population.
The growth in human population around the world affects all people through its impact on the economy and environment. The current rate of population growth is now a significant burden to human well-being. Understanding the factors which affect population growth patterns can help us to plan for the future.
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In the past, infant and childhood deaths and short life spans used to limit population growth. In today’s world, thanks to improved nutrition, sanitation and medical care, more babies survive their first few years of life.
The combination of a continuing high birth rate and a low death rate is creating a rapid population increase in many countries in Asia. Overpopulation occurs when the population of a living species exceeds the carrying capacity of its ecological niche.