Evaluating population, population density, economic, and social indicators on a global level takes much study and critical thinking. For each statistic or number presented, there have been hundreds or thousands of issues factored in, factored out, adjusted for, accounted for, and researched. Looking at the date for the Selected World Development Indicators 2004 highlighted a moment in time for 132 countries in the areas of economy size, population, population density, gross national income, gross domestic product, poverty eradication, health status and spending, education levels and spending, and foreign aid.
After studying the information in the report, to answer the question of what are some of the optimistic trends described in the data read for this assignment, the first thing that comes to mind is the fact that in comparison with recent previous years’ listed information, the per capita percent of growth of the gross domestic product (GDP), the majority of the 132 countries listed saw an increase rather than a decrease (Introduction, n.p.). As an economic indicator, this points toward economic growth in these countries, even though some of the listed growth in this area is quite small. Additionally, another optimistic trend is the overall primary school completion rate increase and the increase in the ratio of female to male enrollments in primary and secondary schools (Introduction, n.p.). These relate to world population growth in a parallel fashion, but this isn’t likely a relative parallelism. The increase in school attendance and the increase in female education are not likely directly correlated with simple population growth. However, the increase in GDP could be influenced by population growth because the more people working leads to higher production and more consumerism. Further, expenditures on health care per capita is generally not parallel to general population or population density (Introduction, n.p.). Typically, the higher the population, the less per capita is spent on health.
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In answer to the question of what countries have the densest population, the overall population in millions graph clearly lists China and India as the two most populous nations (Introduction, n.p.). Both have over one billion people within their borders. In comparison, the United States has about one-quarter of that population (Introduction, n.p.). Rounding out the top ten most populous countries behind China and India are, in no particular order, Bangladesh, Brazil, Indonesia, United States, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Germany (Introduction, n.p.). The density of population, however, is different from the overall population. The population density determines the average of how many people live in one square kilometer. The most densely populated countries, then, are Singapore and Bangladesh, who together are nearly five times as densely populated as the next most densely populated country (Introduction, n.p.). The other eight countries in the top ten most densely populated, in no particular order, are Lebanon, Korea, Netherlands, India, Japan, Rwanda, El Salvador, and Israel (Introduction, n.p.).
For Singapore and Bangladesh in particular, their tremendous crowding of people into every corner of their nation affects the quality of life in so many ways. First, the incidence of disease is greater due to the heavy loads on the sanitation systems where they are present. In some areas, there is a complete lack of sanitation facilities. This can often lead to a lack of fresh drinking water as well, as wells are contaminated. Also relating to health, as the population continues to grow in these densely populated countries, as people get older, there will be increased health care costs that will likely not be covered by any governmental assistance. A lack of long-term planning is also problematic. Planning in the areas of health, education, economy, employment, agriculture, and transportation is needed to provide a chance of being able to handle future population growth and population density.
For all countries facing a population density issue, the sustainable agriculture available in that country is always a concern. This is because 12.5% of all people worldwide do not have enough to eat (Population, 2015). In densely populated areas, common sense indicates that there would be less land available for growing crops and animals for food. Sustaining the food needs of these densely populated areas would be challenging. Transportation would also be potentially difficult. With densities such as these countries, individual motor vehicles is nearly impossible, and lack of infrastructure could cause public transportation to be of poor quality, or, it could be nonexistent. Overcrowding of streets, busses, trains, subway systems, air travel, and individual transporters can cause tension, stress, and even violence.
Violence, of course, is another factor of extremely densely populated areas. More people in smaller areas just form the close physical proximity can cause anxiety and stress, which can lead to anger and violence. Higher crime rates are a feature of densely populated areas.
Lack of housing or the presence of crowded housing also affects people living in densely populated areas. Where sparsely populated areas have homes with multiple rooms, perhaps multiple bathrooms, and lawns and gardens, densely populated areas can have literally thousands of apartments stacked on top of each other in the space of a few city blocks. The apartments are often inhabited by multiple people who share or two or three rooms, and utilities often don’t work or are too expensive to purchase. Lack of sanitation facilities is often a problem here as well.
Unemployment is still another factor that affects people living in densely populated areas. Often, competition for employment is fierce and unemployment rates are high. Many countries do not have social service programs or unemployment pay or welfare systems to support those who cannot find work. This causes individuals and families to live in slum-like conditions, finding scraps of food, begging for change, or sending children to find jobs that adults are not hired for. This is especially disturbing considering that the global economic growth is predicted to drastically decline in coming years (Manyika et al., 2015).
Finally, mental health declines as population density increases. Depression disorders, anxiety disorders, and other mental illnesses go untreated and even unrecognized in densely populated areas.
- Introduction to selected world development indicators. (n.d.). World Development Report 2004.
Retrieved from http://www.rrojasdatabank.info - Manyika, J., Woetzel, J., Dobbs, R., Remes, J., Labaye, E., & Jordan, A. (2015). Can long-term
growth be saved? Insights & Publications, McKinsey & Company. Retrieved from http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/growth/can_long-term_global_growth_be_saved - Population issues. (2015). Population Connection: America’s Vice for Population Stabilization.
Retrieved from http://www.populationconnection.org/site/PageServer?pagename=issues_main
