Overpopulation in India
By: Bethany Hubbard, Caroline Riley & Lindsey Shaw
What's the Problem?
Overpopulation is a growing problem in many areas around the world, especially India. India has very high potential for growing many crops and having a very large agricultural business. But, the problem is that there are too many people for even a large amount of crops to support. As of July 2003, India had a population of over a billion, which is about 1/7 of the world population. In 1999, 53% of the Indian population under the age of five were malnourished, and 37% had no access to safe water. Fifteen million people in Bombay have sidewalks for beds and 25% of the population is below the poverty line.
Why is it Occurring?
Overpopulation can result from an increase in births, a decline in deaths, decrease in emigration (leaving) and an increase in immigration. The population is growing at a rapid rate and India simply can't keep up with it. Since 2/3 of the adults in India are illiterate, many people lack the knowledge in areas such as child birth and preventing unwanted pregnancies, which also causes a great increase in population. Also, it is part of the Indian culture to have large families because the sons provide for the parents when they get older.
How Much Do You Actually Know About India?
India Overpopulation PSA
What are the effects?
Overpopulation is a very serious issue in India. Overpopulation causes poverty because of lack of food sources, it causes unemployment for many people, causes poor hygiene, and it even causes children to not be able to receive proper education. These problems are quickly increasing in India and are serious issues.