Although population growth itself changes over time depending on conditions, some of the primary factors that affect population growth remain the same. Study of these factors will provide a better understanding of past population growth patterns and the ability to predict future population growth.
Food Availability
One of the primary factor affecting population growth is the availability and distribution of food. Improved agricultural processes around the world led to an increase of 24 percent in global food production from 1988 to 1998. Some of the factors leading up to the increased production of food include new developments in genetically modified seed as well as improved pesticides. However, the availability of food affects populations differently. In some populations the amount of food has increased more than the population, but in other areas food production has decreased despite population growth.
Land
The availability of suitable land or space demonstrates another factor of population growth. Population density is found by dividing the total population in a given area by the size of the area of land. The higher the population density, the harder it is for the population to grow. High population densities also increase the likelihood of poverty and inadequate resources, which can negatively affect population growth.
Standard of Living
Another factor affecting population growth is the standard of living. When a population has a high standard of living, it can grow, since all of its basic needs have been met. Public health affects the standard of living; in order for a population to grow it should have access to safe water, housing and food. Lack of safe drinking water remains one of the key factors hindering population growth in some parts of the world. Access to safe drinking water also reduces the risk of diseases spread through contaminated water, such as cholera.
Health
Advances in health make up another factor of population growth. As medical advances improve and allow people to have longer lifespans, the population will continue to grow. Vaccinations and better living conditions have reduced or eradicated diseases such as polio, smallpox and influenza, which used to have a much larger effect on slowing population growth. Other medical advances such as the use of birth control and public health education have also affected population growth.
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