POPULATION

The term “Population” refers to a total number of people or animal etc. within a specific area. Thus, we often talk of the population of a region, a country, province, state, local government, a town or even a village. It is used mostly to ascertain the number of people. Countries employ the conduct of census to enable them get the proper or exact number of people living within the country within a specific year. Since it is not possible to conduct such census every year, most countries use specific intervals for the conduct of such census. For example, Nigeria uses an interval of 10 years i.e. after every 10 years, the country tries to conduct a census. She uses an estimate to project increases and decreases in the population within the period the census is not conducted. This projection is based on the birth rates and the death rates.

Population Dynamics

          This refers to the changes that occur in the population. The population of any place is never static and since it is not static, it means the population is changing all the time. Indices of population dynamics (changes) are:

(i)          Birth rate: – This is the number of live births for every 1000 persons per year in a given country. It does not include children that die at birth. The birth rate is a reflection of the fertility age range (which is assumed to be 15 – 45 years).

The fertility rate however, is influenced by social, economic and medical factors. For example, the desire of women to acquire good education, to enjoy gainful employment, better living standard, child spacing through birth control etc.

(ii)       Death rate: – This is another factor of population dynamism (changes). This refers to the number of deaths within a given population and which is measured by the number of deaths per every 1000 persons. Deaths within a population could be as a result of infant mortality or deaths due to diseases, accidents or old age. Disease outbreak and infant mortality are influenced by social and medical factors within the population.

Birth and death rates that cause changes within a given population are often described as “natural increase” and “natural decreases” of the population.

(iii)     Migration: – Migration can be defined as the movement of people into a population while Emigration is movement of people out of a population. This brings changes in the population. Migration of people is either as individuals or as groups. The movement could be temporal or permanent. The movement is classified as follows:

a.     Rural – Urban

b.     Rural – Rural

c.      Urban – Rural

d.     Urban – Urban

a.     Rural – Urban: Simply concerns the migration of people from the rural areas to the urban areas. This pattern of migration is carried out by the youths who are attracted into the urban areas where they hope to acquire their fortunes. For example, the population of the urban centers is known to be high because government, private and commercial activities are concentrated in these urban centers which engage the attention of the youths.

b.    Rural – Rural:  This is the type of migration where people spread from one rural area to the other i.e. a movement which involves the farming and the pastoral population. They move in search of fertile and adequate farmlands and better grazing land. The main aim of this pattern of migration is to produce adequate with the intention to get surplus for distribution (sales). Rural – rural migration involves largely that segment of the population that is self – employed.

c.      Urban – Rural: – This is a small scale migration pattern because fewer number of people are involved when the individual capacity is considered. But groups such as detachment of the arm forces can be involved. Individuals or companies wishing to embark on agriculture or related engagements prefer to migrate from urban to rural environment.

d.    Urban – Urban: – This pattern of migration is carried out by people wishing to change or expand business from one urban center to the other. Individuals may as well embark on this pattern of migration for some personal reasons like seeking for more fortunes.

On a general note, migration has both advantages and disadvantages. As people move to new areas, particularly to urban centers, workforce increases in such urban centres. Similarly, the consumption capacity increases thereby providing positive changes for investors and producers to expand their initiatives for more and qualitative production. 

On the other hand, the new arrivals create problems for the new area. Resources become inadequate due to the unprecedented increase in the population. Crime-waves increase due to the inadequacy and efforts of the new arrivals to fit into their new environment. In view of these problems we try to specify them as follows: