Overpopulation - Major Causes

Let's take a closer look at the different causes of overpopulation.

1. Decline in the Death Rate

Infant mortality rates are very low and cases of deaths during childbirth are less frequent. Good prenatal care has improved the chances of survival for both the mother and the baby. Developments in medicine have led to reduced mortality and increase in the average life expectancy of humans. Reduced mortality rate is one of the leading causes of overpopulation. There are effective ways to control epidemics and there are better measures to treat critical health ailments, thus leading to a drop in death rates. Owing to advances in both preventive and curative medicine, diseases have either been eradicated or have more effective treatments now. Due to medical advancements, many of the once incurable diseases have cures today.

2. Rise in the Birth Rate

This further contributes to overpopulation. Due to various fertility treatments available today, there are effective solutions to infertility problems, which increases chances of conception. And especially so with the uneducated class where family planning is not adopted. Due to modern medicine, pregnancies are safer. Once again owing to advances in medicine, the average birth rate has gone up. In case of conception after a fertility treatment, there are chances of a multiple pregnancy, further contributing to increasing birth rates. In addition to this, there is a social pressure to have children. Early marriages also contribute to population growth as getting married at an early age increases the chances of having more children.

3. Lack of Education

The educated class can make more responsible decisions about marriage and childbirth. Thus education is an effective tool to curb overpopulation. The illiterate are unable to understand what impact overpopulation can have. Those lacking education fail to understand the need to curb population growth. Furthermore, due to lack of awareness there is resistance in adopting such methods. Modern methods of birth control and family planning don't reach the illiterate sections of society. Illiteracy is another important factor that contributes to overpopulation.

4. Cultural Influences

In some cultures male children are preferred. Social norms influence decisions of starting and extending one's family. Some cultures foster beliefs where marrying at a certain age or having a certain number of children is considered to be ideal. The concept of birth control is not widely accepted. In cultures where a woman's role is considered to be that of a child-bearer, large families become the norm. Plus, there is a pressure from the family and society to have children. Adopting birth control measures is considered taboo in certain cultures. This indirectly forces couples to produce children till a child of the preferred gender is conceived.