There are so many factors responsible for high population growth in Nigeria, which are both social and biological issues. Nigeria, like you already know, is one of the developing countries in the world and its population is has increased significantly in the last few years. What are the factors responsible for its rapid growth? Read on and see the factors affecting population growth in Nigeria.
Factors Affecting Population Growth in Nigeria / Causes of Population Growth in Nigeria
Population growth is a process when the total number of people rises within the measures of a particular population. Due to the growth, there is need for the community to seek for more living space to accommodate its populace, and also seek means for daily wellbeing.
The Nigeria Population
The Nigeria population has increased immensely just like I stated from the start. According to a recent research carried out by the United Nations, it shows that there are about 197,066.199 people living in Nigeria.
Also read: Map of Nigeria Showing the 36 States and FCT
Factors Responsible for High Population in Nigeria
The causes of population growth in Nigeria can be grouped into several factors. For you to have a better understanding, let me explain each of them.
- Political
The Nigerian government does not provide enough facilities to control the number of populace in the country. The population keeps growing at a fast rate, despite the provision of special programs that were organized to create awareness about family planning.
- Lack of Knowledge about Family Planning
Illiteracy, traditions, customs, and lack of knowledge about contraceptives has influenced the population growth of Nigeria. Many people (especially in the rural areas) are less informed about reproductive health issues and ways of building their family effectively.
- Health
Nigeria is among those developing countries that are affected by health issues like Malaria, HIV/AIDS. This can lead to high death rates and hence affect the population negatively.
- Old-age Social Security
In the past, you will agree that to have many children was not just a tradition. The youth was the only support for the existence for the older generation. The more youths (helping hands) a family has, the more possibilities for labor and life they get.
- Biological
Biological category is defined by the ratio between human average age and the number of children coming to replace the next generation. Population increases once the birth rate surpasses the death rate, and vice versa.
- Social
The social factor influences the desire to have children in general, which includes early marriages.
- Immigration/Emigration
The human nature is set to seek for greener pastures, no matter where the destination is. People migrate from their home to other places because of high paid jobs, security, education etc.
- Economic Development and New Technologies
The economic development of a particular place attracts more and more people to it. Lots of people seeks for a better place to live in, work at, feed and meet all its daily needs.
- Culture
Most African cultures encourage a man to marry many wives, and also to have as many children as he wishes.
- Male-Infant Preference
In Nigeria today, many cultures prefers a male child rather than female. If a couple gives birth to a female child and they are yet to have a male child, they always see the need to continue the attempt until they arrive at their desired result.
These are some of the factors affecting human population Growth, even as seen in Nigeria today.
