In some underdeveloped countries, the population may help in the economic progress of the country by providing cheap and abundant labor. It can also expand market which necessitates effective demand.
In Bangladesh, population is increasing at an alarming rate. It is a great menace to our economic growth. But the birth rate has continued to remain more or less stationary. A high birth-rate accompanied by a low death-rate cannot adjust population to the means of living.
• In Bangladesh, food supply is inadequate, and one-third of the populations are underfed.
• The explosive rate of growth of population has also greatly aggravated the unemployment problem in Bangladesh. Unemployment and under-employment in rural and urban areas are a serious headache for the economic planners. Unemployed people do not make any addition to the production. But they have to be fed by the community all the time. The natural resources are not harnessed.
• One of the far-reaching results of the ever increasing population is that it reduces the saving and investment of the country. The average annual per capita income is very low. The purchasing power of the people is extremely poor. The national income leaves no margin for saving.
• There is also high proportion of unproductive population. In 1961, 57 percent of the population were unproductive consumers. In 1991, this percentage has gone up to 62.4 percent.
• The growth of population also affects the standard of living of the people. In Bangladesh, one-third of the people live below the subsistence level.
• Women in Bangladesh do not participate in the productive activity for a long time due to frequent maternity.
Hence, the growth of population adversely affects the pace of economic progress in Bangladesh. The population pressure worsens the unemployment problems, keeps down the per capita real income and the country’s national income, aggravates the supply of food grains and also militates against capital formation.
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