2.1 Defining Overpopulation


In order to fully understand the case studies used in this chapter, you must first be able to define the key terms used.


Overpopulation


Overpopulation occurs when the number of people living in a region is greater than the capacity of the natural resources available to them. The maximum number of people a region’s natural resources can support is referred to as the region’s carrying capacity. Therefore, a region is said to be overpopulated when it has exceeded its carrying capacity.


A common mistake is to confuse overpopulation with high population density. A region with a high population density is not necessarily overpopulated. For example, the population density of the Netherlands is 501 per km2


but is not overpopulated as it has a high level of resources. Meanwhile, Mali has a population density of just 14.5 per km2 ,


yet it is considered overpopulated as it lacks the resources required to provide adequate standards of living. It is also important to realise that overpopulation is not a permanent characteristic of a region. For example, Ireland was overpopulated during the Great Famine (1845–9) because of crop failure of the primary food (the potato) due to blight. It can be argued that Ireland remained overpopulated until the 1950s due to a poor economy and low standard of living.


Underpopulation


Underpopulation occurs when a region does not have enough people to fully exploit its resources. Underpopulation frequently occurs in developed, highly industrialised countries that experience low birth rates. Due to the low birth rates, these countries now suffer from labour shortages. As a result, inward migration is needed to fill the labour deficits. This occurred in Ireland during the Celtic Tiger era, when the booming economy led to a shortage of workers in certain professions, especially the tertiary sector. Much like overpopulation, underpopulation is not a constant characteristic of a region. In 2008 the economic recession led to large-scale unemployment in Ireland. This led to the emigration of young Irish adults along with many people who had migrated to the country during the Celtic Tiger.


440,000 400,000


360,000 320,000 280,000


200,000 240,000


120,000 160,000


80,000 40,000


0


) Fig. 2.4 Australia is an example of an underpopulated country that relies on immigration to fill its labour deficits.


1984 1988 1992


Population change Average


1996 2001 2004 2008


Immigration Average


OVERPOPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT 41 2012


GEO DICTIONARY


Overpopulation: the number of people living in a region exceeds the ability of resources to support this population


Carrying capacity: the maximum number of people a region’s natural resources can support


Labour deficit: when there are not enough economically active people to fill all employment positions


Underpopulation: a region that does not have enough people to fully exploit all available natural resources


Optimum population: the exact number of people required to exploit natural resources in order to give the highest possible standard of living


: Fig. 2.3 What is the central message in this cartoon?


Australian population change


Elective 5: Human CHAPTER 2


Rolling annual


A


Z


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