Population: Threat or Opportunity
                     POPULATION: 
THREAT OR 
OPPORTUNITY
OPPORTUNITY
More people leads 
to greater human 
capital
If there are more people, the 
probability of finding a genius like 
Einsterin, Marie Curie, Beethoven 
increase. These exceptional people 
can lead to technological and cultural 
masterpieces which enrich our lives.
Source: www.economicshelp.org
Higher economic 
growth
Population growth will lead to 
economic growth with more people 
able to produce more goods. It will 
lead to higher tax revenues which can 
be spent on public goods, such as 
health care and environmental 
projects.
Source: www.economicshelp.org
Economies of scale
Farming and industry have been able 
to benefit from economies of scale, 
which means as the population grows, 
food output and manufacturing output 
have been able to grow even faster 
than population growth. 
Source: www.economicshelp.org
The efficiency of 
higher population 
density
In terms of per capita carbon footprint, 
areas with a high population density 
are significantly more efficient than 
rural areas and places with a low 
population. 
Source: www.economicshelp.org
Improved 
demographic 
structure of society
Many western economies are now 
experiencing a falling population, with 
the result that their population 
demographic is being skewed to old, 
retired people. 
Source: www.economicshelp.org
THREAT
Cost to the 
environment
Population growth exacerbates many 
of the existing environmental 
problems
• Trying to reduce carbon and 
methane emissions to reduce global 
warming is relatively more difficult 
as the population.
• There will be greater threat on 
natural habitats as a greater 
population has greater demand for 
housing and farmland. This will 
increase pressure to cut down 
forests to make way for farming and 
housing.
Source: www.economicshelp.org
Congestion
Too many people in a small space will 
lead to various types of congestion. 
Road congestion is a major problem 
across the world. 
Source: www.economicshelp.org
Water shortages
A growing population will put pressure 
on scarce water supplies and this is a 
factor behind many minor and major 
conflicts with countries having to find 
ways around the shortage of water.
Source: www.economicshelp.org
Generating 
unsustainable 
waste
We are currently generating non-
biodegradable rubbish that we are 
struggling to process. It tends to end 
in landfill, causing methane emissions 
and other toxic problems.
Source: www.economicshelp.org
THANK YOU