The issue of population boom is receiving increased attention in Papua New Guinea. Population is the total number of persons inhabiting a country, city, or any district or area. The annual changes in the population size are resulting from a surplus (or deficit) of births over deaths and the balance of migrants entering and leaving a country. The rate may be both positive and negative. The population growth rate is a factor in affecting the citizens of PNG to better infrastructure (e.g., schools, hospitals, housing, roads), resources (e.g., food, water, electricity), and jobs. Papua New Guinea's growing population is more of an immediate threat to the region's sustainability than any other pressing issues. The growth in human population around the world especially in PNG affects all people through its impact on the economy and environment. The current rate of population growth is now a significant burden to human well-being. Population issues has impacts on the development of PNG. When population increases, there are many people living in a particular area which gives them less access to better health services, education, employment and infrastructure which however, affects the development of PNG. This paper will compare and contrast between rural and urban population increase as a current development issue in Papua New Guinea and how the issues connected to historical, social, economic, cultural, environmental and the prospect for development of this issue. By looking at the similarities and differences between rural and urban population we will understand how this issue connected to other issues faced in our country as a whole.
Comparing Rural and urban population
The human population is constantly growing. Worldwide every second, 2.6 people are being born. During that time period, over 700 people will be born. (Cunningham. M, 2011). [O1] Due to increased birth rate, we can assumed that population has increased over time, both in rural and urban areas. The distribution of people varies depending in the type of location. In this lesson we will explore how people are distributed between rural and urban areas and how these populations have changed over time. While rapid population growth in excess of, say 2% per annum, need not be a cause for concern if accompanied by commensurate levels of economic growth, in PNG with less than dynamic economies, high rates of population growth may result in declining levels of gross domestic product (GDP) per capital and deteriorating social indicators. Population growth has high impacts on the social problems that are currently affecting the development of PNG. With these understanding, we will be able to identify the similarities and differences between rural and urban population growth. Indeed, evidence is emerging of growing poverty, environmental degradation, and rapid urbanization and rising social problems that all reflect the consequences of high population growth (House and Lewis, 1998). [O2] Some of the similar patterns between rural and urban population are environmental degradation and environment depletion. According to (Lauer. H. R, 1998:559) he state that “depletion and degradation of environment occurs when a particular area is over populated with human population which sustain mostly on the environment”. [O3] And also the linkages between urban centers and rural areas, allows movement of people, goods, capital and other social transactions between rural and urban centers, play important roles in processes of rural and urban change. The similarities found between rural and urban population growth, is the movement of people, goods, capital and social transactions which plays an important part in process of population growth in both rural and urban areas.
When there is more people living in an area the possibilities of causing destruction to natural habitat is large. The increase of population has been tending towards alarming situation, like land area has great deal of pressure on all its l natural resources. Water shortages, soil exhaustion, deforestation, air and water pollution afflicts many areas. If the world population continues to multiply, the impact on environment could be devastating. The environmental effects like ground water and surface water contamination; air pollution and global warming are of growing concern owing to increasing consumption levels because of population growth. Due to this increase in the human population, there has been increased pressure on the natural resources that we rely on for survival. Yet another major global environmental issue is overpopulation. As the population of world continues to soar at an alarming rate, the pressure on the resources on the planet (earth) is increasing. These problems associated with overpopulation range from food and water crisis to lack of space for natural burial. Overpopulation also results in various other demographic hazards. Incessant population growth will not just result in depletion of natural resources, but will also put more pressure on the economy. “As population increases, human activities increase, which eventually increases the amount of waste produced” ( Lauer,H.R,1998:559). The similar thing between rural and urban population growth, is the human impacts on environment because the entire population we rely on environment for survival in both rural and urban areas. When identifying the similarities between rural and urban population growth we can be able to connect the similar issues faced by both rural and urban to historical, social, economic, cultural and environmental with a panoramic view of development. Some identified related issues of rural and urban population growth are environmental degradation and environment depletion. As the population of world continues to soar at an alarming rate, the pressure on the resources of the planet is increasing. These problems associated with overpopulation range from food and water crisis to lack of space for natural burial. “Overpopulation also results in various other demographic hazards. Incessant population growth will not just result in depletion of natural resources, but will also put more pressure on the economy”(Mylott.E,1998:page number). [O4] After all, sustaining a huge population requires quite an enormous effort for a nation, as far as finance is concerned. Both rural and urban rely on the environment for survival and if the population growth increases, there will be more people living in a particular area. As population increases, human activities increase, which eventually increases the amount of waste produced. Human activities has greater impacts on the environment which increase pollution. Several other aspects, prominent ones among which include, air pollution, water pollution and land pollution. On one hand air pollution can be attributed to the large amount of carbon dioxide pumped into the atmosphere by industries and vehicles, water pollution and land pollution is caused as a result of waste disposal from factories and oil-carrying vessels. Basically, mankind is to be blamed for these issues as our activities tend to hamper the environment at an alarming rate. If this trend continues, we will be very soon left without any fresh air to breath, and clean water to drink. This are few of the related issues of population growth which slow the progress of development in PNG.
When environment degrade, people suffer because most of their livelihoods rely on sustainable resources. Which brings in social issues like poverty, and inequality, health, education and economic problems. E.g. Unemployment is now considerable in many towns and informal sector opportunities (including market trade, food and betel nut selling and cleaning) [O5] cannot absorb growing population numbers. Low income and large household sizes have posed problems, economically this affects the development of our country. Not many people are fortunate enough to access better education and the rate of illiterate people are very high in PNG. When human activities harm the environment, the people suffer from diseases and illness due to polluted air, water, and land. Many urban rivers and coastal lagoons are polluted and water supplies contaminated, posing threats to human health. When discussing health, there is only few have access to better health services due to over population growth. Now that we discover the similar issue that connects rural and urban population growth with the other development issues, which will benefit us in seeing the development of PNG in a panoramic view by help solve the particular issue.
Author: Wesley Mawe
