Linkage of Population and Economic Growth on Sustainable Development in Africa

Abstract

The paper presents the interactive effect of population and economic growth on achieving sustainable development in the world and Africa in particularly. The Rio Declaration, (UN 1992) and the ICPD, (UN, 1994) places humans at the center of development. The environmental impact of human activity is attributable to three principal determinants, namely rate of economic growth, rate of technological progress in production and distribution processes and the rate of population growth. Throughout history, populations have grown slowly despite high birth rate, due to the population-reducing effects of war, plagues and high infant mortality. The recent rapid increase in human population over the past three centuries has raised concerns that the planet may not be able to sustain present or larger numbers of inhabitants. Population growth has a direct impact on sustainable development. Yet, very often the connection is not being made nor is it talked about. The needs for careful planning to support the ever growing population growth in most African countries is important to achieving the desired sustainable development.