Lecture 1 :Population Pressure on Resources PPR

PPR - maladjustment between resources and population.

> P < R = maladjustment< P > R = inefficient resource utilization

P= R = sustaining

How PPR occur in the given environment?

1. Population growth over time

•when the volume of consumption (C) is greater than the rate of of production of resources(R)•a community will be able to enjoy an acceptable living standardif the C< P •Resource utilization is increasing with rapid population growth

2. Fluctuation in the economy

•Economic growth is determined by an increase in the communitywealth through GNP•A country can only support a given number of people if the resource base of the country is large enough to cater for thevarious needs of the community•In time of economic depression, the carrying capacity is being stretched to the fullest, hence PPR will set in•The country wealth is reduced and the resources in the communityare in near depletion due to limited stock available•If the GNP increased through better trade balance and surplusearning is created,economic prosperity is ensured and PPR never setin, people can enjoy high SOL

3. Change in expectation of the community

What is expectation?

Change in lifestyles as a result of western influence. Thiseventually leads to greater need for quality life, whichsubsequently can lead to greater demand for scarce

resources

> E, < R , > P = PPR

Regional & National variations of PPR

•PPR varies within a country or between countries•Disparity of economic growth that encompassed PPR can occur even in a country with homogeneous( similar) economic system•The existence of PPR can be determined by analyzing the proportions of each region/country’s population suffering fromparticular social or economic deficiencies•Drewnowski , a social scientist had identified 3 indiciesto denote the state of well-being in a given regionSomatic StatusEducational StatusSocial Status

Drewnowski’s State of Well-being Index

Somatic Status ( Physical development)

•Nutritional Status- the diet of the population•Health Status - the absence of chronic diseases amongst the pop.•Life expectancy- average life span of an individual•Physical fitness- the strength and physical endurance of the pop.

A high total physical development leads to a better society becausethe country got enough capital to invest in the well-being of thepopulation.

Educational Status - mental development

•Literacy - the % of the population that can read and write•Educational attainment - the number of people in the communitythat possessed post secondary/tertiary education as against the basic education•Congruence of education with manpower needs- does a countryhave a quality and talented labor force ?• Employment- the rate of employment in the community, either full employment or high unemployment rate

Social Status

• Integration - people of different social or ethnic groups are ableto live in harmony with one another•Participation- the members of the community are willing tobe involved in the government activities and no one is marginalised

Drewnowski is trying to depict a situation that in any community the state of well-being of its citizen will determinethe degree of social or economic deficiencies

State of well being can be measured in terms of•Affluence•Sufficiency•Insufficiency•Destitution

Once the basic needs of the individual in a given community aremet, the state of well- being is high, hence PPR does not exist

Another indicators to determine the degree of Well Being

• Per Capita Indices - the real incomes that the individual in thecommunity received that will support his daily needs• Unemployment level - if more people are displaced from theirjobs, the state of well-being will be low•Migration rate - High PPR in a certain region will create a‘push’ factors which eventually leads to out-migration

Regional variations with regards to PPR ( economic & socialwell-being)

In United Kingdom two variables are used to indicate the degreeof economic well-being(PPR) in the country.

•Employment level•Earned Incomes

Based on these indices, regions that suffer from PPR were identified.

Employment Level

•Total unemployment level is determined in order to describethe existence of ‘deprived ‘ region in UK in 1980•The total unemployment rate of the various regions in UK •is compared with the national average•Scotland and Northern England fared better than the average•West Midlands and NW regions fared worse than expected

Reasons for existence of economic disparities within regions•the development of North Sea oil•variations in the age and productivity of industrial equipment•unequal effect of an overvalued currency•inappropriate government policy

Earned Incomes ( both in UK and USA)

In the United Kingdom

•Close correlation between earned income and industrial development•In UK, earned income is greater in SE region; related to increaseeconomic development in the region•Scotland suffered low income due to the declining of mainindustries

In United State of America

•The level of poverty is detected in certain regions in the States•Agricultural regions have relatively more poverty than theurban areas•Areas with Black people had higher proportions of poverty

Reasons for this regional disparity in UK and USA

•that the magnitude of disparities varies with stage of economicdevelopment•developed regions are more attracted by investors•disparities are related to industrial development•Location influences pattern of disparities

National Variations of Disparities ( PPR)

•Disparities between the NORTH (MEDC) and the SOUTH( LEDC) are significant•The disparities between the two regions can be measuredin terms of calories in-take, school enrolment ratio and GNPper capita of the population•In Latin America, Africa, Middle East and South East Asia•the minimum daily requirements of about 2000 calories•(low calories in-take) •High calories in-take in North America, Europe and Australia•GNP per capita indicates countries with low calories in-take•Third world countries are the depressed regions of the world

Reasons for global variations

•depletion of resources in LEDC through abuse of the environment by man

•Inefficiency use of the resources due to poor technology orignorance

•the total absence of resources due to natural causes