overpopulation solution essay

Overpopulation Essay

500 words essay on overpopulation.

Overpopulation refers to an undesirable condition in which the number of existing human being exceeds the actual carrying capacity of the earth. It has many causes which range from a decline in the death rate to early marriages and more. The overpopulation essay will throw light on this issue.

Ill-Effects of Overpopulation

The ill-effects of overpopulation are quite severe. The first one is that natural resources deplete at a faster level. Our planet can produce only a limited amount of water and food . Thus, overpopulation causes environmental damage including deforestation, pollution, etc.

Similarly, there is the degradation of the environment which happens because of the overuse of resources like coal, oil, natural gases and more. As a result, the quality of air also gets affected in this manner.

In developing countries, overpopulation puts a strain on resources. Thus, it gives rise to conflicts and tension. It also causes more diseases that become harder to control. Next up, we have the issue of unemployment.

Moreover, it rises due to overpopulation. There is more number of people than job opportunities. As a result, unemployment gives rise to crimes like theft and more. We also have pandemics and epidemics which happen due to overpopulation.

It is because overcrowded and unhygienic living gives rise to infectious diseases . Another ill-effect is malnutrition and starvation. When there are scarce resources, these diseases will likely to be on the rise.

Most importantly, we have a shortage of water which makes it tougher for people to get access to clean water. Similarly, lower life expectancy also happens because of the boom in population, especially in less-developed nations.

We also witness faster climate change as nations continue to develop their industrial capacities. Thus, they emit industrial waste which gives rise to global temperatures . It will keep getting worse if things are not checked immediately.

Solutions of Overpopulation

There are many solutions which we may take up to prevent overpopulation. The best measure is family planning to keep the overpopulation check. In order to do that, one can ensure proper spacing between the births of the children.

Further, limiting the number of children as per income and resources must also be important. Similarly, it is essential to increase resources. The government must make the horrors of overpopulation reach the public through the use of media.

Moreover, better education can help implement social change which can curb overpopulation. Next up, knowledge of sex education must be made mandatory in schools so students learn young about everything they need to know.

Most importantly, it is essential to empower women so they can break out of poverty. This way, they can learn about reproductive health and make better decisions. Another solution can be government incentives.

Many governments of countries already have various policies which relate to tax exemptions for curbing overpopulation. For instance, some waive a certain part of income tax for married couples with one or two children.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Conclusion of Overpopulation Essay

All in all, overpopulation is no less than a curse that poses a permanent threat to the development of any country. It is essential to stop the flood of population. In order to do that, one must indulge in proper family planning and creating balance in society for a better world.

FAQ of Overpopulation Essay

Question 1: What is the main cause of overpopulation?

Answer 1: It is believed that the main cause of overpopulation is poverty. When there is a lack of education resource which coupled with high death rates, it results in impoverished areas witnessing large booms in population.

Question 2: How is overpopulation affecting the world?

Answer 2: Overpopulation is affecting the world as it is outpacing the ability of the planet earth to support it. It also has environmental and economic outcomes which range from the impacts of over-farming on global warming.

Customize your course in 30 seconds

Which class are you in.

• Travelling Essay
• Picnic Essay
• Our Country Essay
• My Parents Essay
• Essay on Favourite Personality
• Essay on Memorable Day of My Life
• Essay on Knowledge is Power
• Essay on Gurpurab
• Essay on My Favourite Season
• Essay on Types of Sports

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Download the App

• IELTS Scores
• Life Skills Test
• Find a Test Centre
• Alternatives to IELTS
• Find Student Housing
• General Training
• Academic Word List
• Topic Vocabulary
• Collocation
• Phrasal Verbs
• Writing eBooks
• Reading eBook
• All eBooks & Courses
• Sample Essays
• Overpopulation Essay

IELTS Overpopulation Essay

This model essay is about  overpopulation in cities . You specifically have to talk about the  problems  of overpopulation, and suggest some  solutions  to this problem.

Note that this question specifically asks you what governments and individuals can do.

Here is the question:

Overpopulation of urban areas has led to numerous problems.

Identify one or two serious ones and suggest ways that governments and individuals can tackle these problems.

Organising a Problems & Solutions Essay

Note that this overpopulation essay question specifically asks you what governments and individuals can do.

You MUST, therefore, write about what both of these can do in order to fully answer the question.

Note as well that you must talk about  serious  problems.

The easiest way to organize a problems and solutions essay is as follows:

Body 1: Problems

Body 2: Solutions

In this essay, a separate paragraph has been written about government and individual solutions, so it is organized as follows:

Body 2: Solutions - Government

Body 3: Solutions - Individuals

Model Essay

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own experience or knowledge.

Write at least 250 words.

IELTS Overpopulation Essay - Sample Answer

Many countries of the world are currently experiencing problems caused by rapidly growing populations in urban areas, and both governments and individuals have a duty to find ways to overcome these problems.

Overpopulation can lead to overcrowding and poor quality housing in many large cities. Poorly heated or damp housing could cause significant health problems, resulting in illness, such as bronchitis or pneumonia. Another serious consequence of overcrowding is a rising crime rate as poor living conditions may lead young people in particular to take desperate measures and turn to crime or drugs.

In terms of solutions, I believe the government should be largely responsible. Firstly, it is vital that the state provides essential housing and healthcare for all its citizens. Secondly, setting up community projects to help foster more community spirit and help keep young people off the street is a good idea. For example, youth clubs or evening classes for teenagers would keep them occupied. Finally, more effective policing of inner city areas would also be beneficial.

Naturally, individuals should also try to address these problems. One way is to put pressure on the government to ensure they tackle the problems by, for instance, forming action groups to lobby the government and request intervention and adequate funding. They could also form Neighbourhood Watch areas to try and help reduce the high levels of crime.

Therefore, it is clear that the problems caused by overpopulation in urban areas are very serious. Yet if governments and individuals share a collective responsibility, then it may well become possible to offer some solutions.

(260 words)

<<< Back

Next >>>

More Problems & Solutions Essays:

Competing for Jobs Essay

Competing for Jobs Essay: This is a model essay about the problems arising when older people have to compete with younger people for jobs. you need to write about the problems that arise if older people have to compete for jobs with younger people.

IELTS Problem Solution Essay Example: Why is immigration problematic?

This problem solution essay example is about the increasing number of professionals who are leaving their own poorer countries to work in developed countries

Any comments or questions about this page or about IELTS? Post them here. Your email will not be published or shared.

Before you go...

Check out the ielts buddy band 7+ ebooks & courses.

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

• Click on the HTML link code below.
• Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.

Band 7+ eBooks

"I think these eBooks are FANTASTIC!!! I know that's not academic language, but it's the truth!"

Linda, from Italy, Scored Band 7.5

IELTS Modules:

Other resources:.

• All Lessons
• Band Score Calculator
• Writing Feedback
• Speaking Feedback
• Teacher Resources
• Free Downloads
• Recent Essay Exam Questions
• Books for IELTS Prep
• Student Housing
• Useful Links

Recent Articles

Decreasing House Sizes Essay

Apr 06, 24 10:22 AM

Latest IELTS Writing Topics - Recent Exam Questions

Apr 04, 24 02:36 AM

IELTS Essay: English as a Global Language

Apr 03, 24 03:49 PM

Important pages

IELTS Writing IELTS Speaking IELTS Listening   IELTS Reading All Lessons Vocabulary Academic Task 1 Academic Task 2 Practice Tests

Connect with us

Copyright © 2022- IELTSbuddy All Rights Reserved

IELTS is a registered trademark of University of Cambridge, the British Council, and IDP Education Australia. This site and its owners are not affiliated, approved or endorsed by the University of Cambridge ESOL, the British Council, and IDP Education Australia.

Overpopulation: Impacts and 6 Solutions for 2024 (Guide)

Liza pivoted from environmental consulting and doing impact assessments to writing about her two most counter-intuitive but passionate interests: sustainability and the importance of living an eco-conscious life; and marketing, martech, and AI. When she’s not writing, you can find her living a zero-waste-adjacent life in South Africa, falling down research rabbit holes on the internet, or out hiking with her dogs.

Introduction

Liza Shuttleworth pivoted from a career in environmental impact assessment and consulting to becoming a full-time writer, focusing on her most passionate (and diverse) interests: ecological conservation, sustainability, waste management and marketing, mar-tech, and AI.

Her professional portfolio reflects a diverse array of writing and consultancy roles spanning environmental science, marketing, and technology.

She has written for prestigious online and print publications on topics that include sustainability, climate change advocacy, waste management, and marine conservation, as well as marketing strategy, mar-tech, and the proliferation of AI tools for marketing.

Liza has an extensive professional background, having held management and consultancy positions within the environmental science, waste management, technology, and marketing sectors.

Her writing and editorial positions for both print and online publications have shaped content in ways that educate and inspire readers about sustainable living, climate change, and the power of innovative technology to overcome challenges in any setting.

Liza's academic background is rooted in a Bachelor of Social Science, focusing on Media and English. Beyond this, she has pursued tertiary qualifications in geography, psychology, and marketing, further enriching her knowledge base and contributing to her multi-faceted approach to writing and advocacy.

Overpopulation solutions have become a focal point at the intersection of a wide range of interest groups, from human rights to environmental impacts and climate change.

As human population numbers continue to boom globally, concerns are over the impacts of overpopulation on the natural environment, finite and renewable resources, and environmental degradation have escalated to unsustainable levels.

Several strategies are needed for reducing overpopulation, including gender equality, family planning resource access, education, and sustainable development programs.

We can work to achieve a balance between the growth of the human population and the planet’s carrying capacity by providing people with the information and means to make wise decisions about the size of their families, promoting women’s rights and reproductive health, and creating equal opportunities for economic growth.

Furthermore, in order to ensure a sustainable future for future generations, it is essential that expenditures be made on sustainable technologies and practices that reduce resource use and ease the effects on the environment.

In this article, we briefly discuss overpopulation, the numbers, and observable trends, the impacts of overpopulation on the natural environment, and some of the solutions to overpopulation that can mitigate these negative impacts.

Keep reading to discover solutions to overpopulation and find out how you can start making a difference today!

What is Overpopulation?

Overpopulation occurs when there are more people than the planet can sustain and our needs outstrip the carrying capacity of the earth.

In ecology, carrying capacity refers to the number of individuals in a specific region or habitat that can be sustained in that area, without the loss of lives due to insufficient resources like food, water and shelter, and without irreversible degradation of natural resources.

In simple terms, overpopulation leads to a situation where resources are depleted quicker than they can renew themselves naturally, which leads to fewer resources and in turn a limitation on the number of lives that can be sustained.

This can also result from overconsumption , which often goes hand in hand with overpopulation. Overconsumption refers to the use and depletion of resources at a rate that outpaces the ability to replenish those resources. Even smaller populations can consume too much, too quickly, if how they’re using resources is unsustainable.

Overpopulation: The Numbers

In 2023 there are over 8 billion people alive on earth. Experts expect that if something doesn’t change, we could see 9.7 billion people by 2050 and 11 billion by 2100.

It took over 2 million years for the global population to reach 1 billion in the year 1800. That number doubled in 130 years to 2 billion in 1930. It took just 44 years for that number to double again, to 4 billion in 1974.  As of 2020, the number has almost doubled again to 7.8 billion in just 46 years!

Have a look at the video below, by Data is Beautiful on YouTube, for a nice visual representation of how the numbers change over time:

What Causes Overpopulation?

Overpopulation is the result of too many births and too few deaths, low emigration and high immigration in a specific area. Globally, overpopulation is caused by rapid population growth due to advances in medicine and technology leading to fewer mortalities and longer lifespan, poverty, lack of education, and restricted access to birth control and family planning.

However, how this came about is more complex:

There are many, interrelated, factors that lead to overpopulation but there are two major factors that play a crucial role in the scale and rapid rate of our population growth:

Advances in medicine have led to fewer deaths from diseases, especially diseases that once took large numbers of lives in short periods, like smallpox and polio.

The result is fewer people dying but also longer life expectancy, which means that as new generations are born, preceding generations are still present and the overall population size increases faster.

Advances in technology , especially in agriculture, have led to our ability to feed population numbers that were thought to be impossible as recently as the 1960s. In 1968, American biologist Paul Ehrlich wrote ‘The Population Bomb’, in which he stated that “in the 1970s hundreds of millions of people will starve to death…”.

His theory was that population growth would outstrip our ability to feed the population and everyone would starve to death.

However, in the late 1960s the ‘Green Revolution’ took food production to levels never seen before and the global population continued to grow.

The video below, by BBC Earth Lab on YouTube, gives a brief overview of the population boom and how we got where we are today:

Better natal practices have served to mitigate one of the biggest, and saddest reasons why population growth rates were lower in the past, namely that child and infant mortality rates were much higher. 

Even though birth rates were higher between the 17 th and 21 st centuries, averaging around 6 children per woman, the struggle for survival meant that many children did not grow old enough to have children themselves.

Within the last century, global child mortality rates have decreased from around 25% to just 2.9%. The steepest decline has been within the last 50 years. 

Advances in natal healthcare and surgical safety mean that though people in developed countries are having fewer children, more of those children are growing up to live full lives and start families of their own.

Lack of education in developing countries has resulted in a poor understanding of family planning and the continuation of traditional beliefs like the perception that many offspring are a sign of wealth.

In many African countries, children are viewed as potential workers who can contribute to the family’s needs, incentivizing larger family units.

Effects of Overpopulation on the Environment

Overpopulation and overconsumption are closely linked to negative environmental outcomes.

There is now no part of the earth that is not affected in some negative way by human activities. This is magnified by the ever-growing demands our ever-growing population places on the planet.

Increased human population sizes and increased demand for natural resources have led to severe negative impacts.

The video below, by The Knowledge Exchange and Sir David Attenborough on YouTube, briefly covers the impacts of human activity on the natural environment, as amplified by overpopulation:

While over 70% of the earth’s surface is covered with water, only around 1% of that is fresh and accessible. Increases in immigration to developed countries place massive pressure on freshwater supplies in countries like the USA, UK, and Australia. 

Increasing populations in developed countries increase the need for intensive farming practices , which damage ecosystems, and increase agricultural pollution.

Agricultural pollution has been responsible for some of the biggest environmental declines on the planet, resulting in the permanent loss of biodiversity. 

Increased demand for consumer goods and transportation results in heavier mining for fuel resources, and damaging practices like fracking which pollute groundwater, release greenhouse gases, and can cause earthquakes.

These changes have a ‘domino effect’ on ecosystems around the world and interrupt or destroy environmental cycles that are crucial for sustaining life on earth.

The 20 th century saw a marked increase in the effects of natural disasters stemming from events like El Nino. Fires, flooding, and erosion devastate ecosystems and necessitate higher immigration to safer areas.

Effects of overpopulation on the environment: 

• Habitat loss and deforestation
• Loss of biodiversity and mass species extinction
• Land, water and air pollution
• Soil degradation and desertification
• Depletion of finite resources
• Use of renewable resources at unsustainable rates
• Climate change due to excessive greenhouse gas emissions
• Oceanic acidification

6 Overpopulation Solutions for Individuals

Overpopulation has no simple (or at least simple and ethical) solution. There are differing theories about how to tackle the problem and different approaches or viewpoints.

Some see population as a problem that is gradually solving itself due to demographic transition , where populations tend to have fewer children as their economic and educational circumstances improve, and advances in education and female economic empowerment that allow women to choose if and when they will have children.

Others feel that the solution to overpopulation lies in more proactive measures like economic incentives to have fewer children or regulating the number of children allowed per family. These kinds of measures quickly lead to social and ethical considerations that are difficult to solve.

Mitigating the impacts of overpopulation is perhaps a simpler route to take for individuals who are not responsible for things like government policies.  On an individual level, there is much we can do to support a decrease in birth rates and a shift away from overconsumption.

These are 6 overpopulation solutions and things you can do, today, to support the earth as it tries to sustain our ever-growing numbers:

#1: Support Education for Women and Girls

Numerous studies (such as this one by Harvard Health Review ) have shown that there is a direct and significant link between improved education for women and girls and a lower reproduction rate.

The Harvard study cited above states that “case studies of improved secondary education for females offer hope for the future. A 1998 study of Niger discovered a 31% decrease in fertility rate among women who had completed secondary school. A comparable 1997 study in Yemen found a 33% decrease”.

These findings have been echoed over and over again .

Supporting the education of women to at least secondary school level is a definitive impact on reducing birth rates. It also improves the spacing between children and improves the health and quality of life for those children.

This has a knock-on effect, where the children of better-educated mothers are also more likely to be educated themselves.

#2: Support Initiatives that Provide Education and Access to Family Planning

Accurate, factual and unbiased education for children, adolescents and adults about reproduction, sexual health and consent are essential to reduce the number of unintentional births that occur each year.  Approximately 40% of pregnancies are unintended, which translates to around 85 million unintended pregnancies per year.

Easy, affordable, and reliable access to contraceptives and birth control is a major factor in preventing unplanned births and is one of the stronger overpopulation solutions.

Improved education improves the use and efficacy of these but they must be available and accessible.

In poorer countries, access is lacking and leads to millions of unplanned births every year.

The impact of planned families can also be reduced by using eco-friendly baby products, like biodegradable nappies and non-synthetic wet wipes . Small changes can have a big impact on your impact!

#3: Invest in and Support Responsible and Innovative Agriculture

Agriculture is responsible for 80% of global deforestation, biodiversity loss, habitat loss, soil and water pollution, and even desertification .

From poorly managed small farms, overgrazing and logging to huge commercial farms that exploit local water supplies and encroach on natural habitats, the environmental impact of agriculture are huge.

Responsible farming techniques, education and pressure from consumers can go a long way to improving this. However, if we want to keep producing enough food for a booming population, we need to start thinking differently about food production.

Check out this incredible video by Freethink on YouTube about how the Netherlands produce food:

Just as the advances in technology and food production got us to 7 billion without starvation, we need it to get us to 11 billion without causing ecological collapse.

Vertical farming, in urban areas, to feed local populations also uses controlled growing conditions, indoors, to grow food as efficiently and rapidly as possible.

Their reduced physical footprint means that more food can be produced using less land, which negates things like habitat loss and deforestation for agriculture.

#4: Consume Less, Consume Better and Choose Sustainable Sources

Overconsumption is a major driving force behind the depletion of natural resources at unsustainable rates. Wealthy countries like the US consume more per capita than underdeveloped countries that have higher population numbers. Overpopulation solutions must go hand-in-hand with overconsumption solutions to be effective at all.

This video, by DW Planet A on YouTube, shares an interesting perspective on consumption and overconsumption:

Choose to consume less. Responsible and thoughtful consumption can drastically improve the ecological footprint of every individual and every industry.

From energy, fuel and transportation choices to the kinds of food you buy , and the clothes you wear. Choosing zero-waste toiletries, like shampoo and conditioner bars ,   natural soaps , and zero-waste toothpaste , plastic-free deodorant and switching to more sustainable cleaning products, like eco-friendly laundry detergent and zero-waste dish soap , is also a good way to lower your environmental impact. There are always better options available.

Research your products and the companies that supply them and then support the ones that put the environment first. Look for companies that use renewable resources, that farm or manufacture sustainably and that use ethical labor practices .

#5: Choose Renewable Energy Resources

One of the biggest sources of environmental degradation and pollution is energy production from fossil fuels. Overpopulation solutions are lacking and incomplete if they do not include changes to energy production.

Coal and oil are finite resources and their overexploitation is not sustainable. In addition, the process of using them for power and fuel generates massive water pollution, land degradation and air pollution.

Choosing to buy and support renewable energy resources like solar and wind power makes reduces the footprint of your energy consumption. It also supports the shift away from fossil fuels at a larger scale when governments and industries see the buy-in of consumers.

Supplement your power needs using solar or wind power. Choose to support the businesses that do the same. Support the renewable energy wherever you can – be it by voting on policies, investing in the industry, or simply choosing to use it when it becomes available in your area.

#6: Actively Participate in Reducing Waste and Pollution

Zero-waste is a trend that has proved it is here to stay. But you don’t have to go full zero to make an impact! Any measures you take to prevent waste from going to landfill or polluting natural environments makes a difference.

Small changes that add up:

• Choose biodegradable materials
• Refuse plastics where you can
• Choose refillable zero-waste products , like toothpaste tablets and mouthwash tablets.
• Recycle the plastics you can’t refuse
• Use products that do not come in plastic packaging, like zero-waste soaps and shampoo bars
• Choose items made from recycled materials
• Make compost at home
• Choose eco-friendly alternatives, like bamboo toothbrushes and wooden soap holders, over plastic ones
• Sell or swap things you don’t need
• Choose brands that support sustainability

In conclusion, overpopulation and overconsumption are of great concern for the natural environment and human life.

They’re associated with biodiversity loss, habitat destruction, pollution, unsustainable rates of consumption for renewable resources and rapid depletion of finite resources.

They’re directly related to climate change and global warming.

Scientists have long been warning us of an impending ecological collapse that could end life as we know if for humans and the planet itself.

Overpopulation solutions are complex and multifaceted but there are solutions and at an individual level, there is a lot we can do to mitigate the environmental impact of our existence and continued population growth.

The choices we make day-to-day and the causes, initiatives, and industries that choose to support all make a difference in how we consume resources and how the consumption of those resources impacts the planet.

References and Further Reading

Active Sustainability: Causes and Consequences of Overpopulation

Euro Scientist: What Causes Population?

Everything Connects: Effects of Human Overpopulation

Slate: About That Overpopulation Problem

The Balance: The Environmental Impacts of Overpopulation

Vox: We’ve worried about overpopulation for centuries. And we’ve always been wrong.

Wikipedia: Human Overpopulation

World Bank Blogs: Female Education and Childbearing: A Closer Look at the Data

Frequently Asked Questions

What is overpopulation.

Overpopulation occurs when the number of people on earth surpass the earth's carrying capacity. Too many people, consuming too much in terms of natural resources. Read the full guide for more detail on what overpopulation is.

How many people are on earth now?

There are currently around 7.8 billion people on the earth. Read the full article to find out more about the past and future numbers of people on earth.

Does overpopulation cause climate change?

This is a complicated question to answer but human activity is a leading cause of climate change and the more humans there are on earth, the greater our impact on the earth. Read the full article to learn more about how population and climate change are connected.

Popular Related Posts

Solar Powered Greenhouse: The Ultimate Guide to Solar Charge your Greenhouse in 2024

12 Leading Green Concrete Companies In 2024

12 Leading Green Steel Companies In 2024

14 Green FinTech Companies To Lead a Change in 2024 and Beyond

12 Best Carbon Accounting Platforms for SME & Enterprises in 2024 [Review]

Get cutting-edge climate solutions delivered to your inbox.

The climate tech essentials. Bite-sized monthly updates for busy changemakers.

Pin It on Pinterest

• StumbleUpon

Overpopulation: Cause and Effect

Conversations about overpopulation can quickly become controversial because they beg the question: Who exactly is the cause of the problem and what, if anything, should be done about it? Many population experts worry discussions around overpopulation will be abused by small-minded people to suggest some are the “right people” to be on the planet (like themselves), and some people are “the wrong people” (usually people in poverty, people of color, foreigners, and so on—you get the drift). But there are no “right” or “wrong” people on the planet, and discussing the problems of global overpopulation can never be an excuse, or in any way provide a platform, for having that type of conversation.

Each human being has a legitimate claim on a sufficient and fair amount of Earth’s resources. But with a population approaching 8 billion, even if everyone adopted a relatively low material standard of living like the one currently found in Papua New Guinea , it would still push Earth to its ecological breaking point. Unfortunately, the “average person” on Earth consumes at a rate over 50% above a sustainable level. Incredibly, the average person in the United States uses almost five times more than the sustainable yield of the planet.

When we use the term “overpopulation,” we specifically mean a situation in which the Earth cannot regenerate the resources used by the world’s population each year. Experts say this has been the case every year since 1970, with each successive year becoming more and more damaging. To help temper this wildly unsustainable situation, we need to understand what’s contributing to overpopulation and overconsumption and how these trends are affecting everything from climate change to sociopolitical unrest.

Download our free whitepaper

The causes of overpopulation.

Today the Earth is home to more than 7.8 billion people . By 2100 the population is on track to hit 10.8 billion , according to the United Nations — and that’s assuming steady fertility declines in many countries. Interestingly, if extra progress is made in women’s reproductive self-determination, and fertility falls more than the United Nations assumes is likely, the population in 2100 might be a relatively smaller 7.3 billion.

For now, the world’s population is still increasing in huge annual increments (about 80 million per year), and our supply of vital non-renewable resources are being exhausted. Many factors contribute to these unsustainable trends , including falling mortality rates, underutilized contraception, and a lack of education for girls.

Falling Mortality Rate

The primary (and perhaps most obvious) cause of population growth is an imbalance between births and deaths. The infant mortality rate has decreased globally, with 4.1 million infant deaths in 2017 compared to 8.8 million in 1990, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This is welcome public health news, of course.

At the same time, lifespans are increasing around the world. Those of us who are alive today will likely live much longer than most of our ancestors. Global average life expectancy has more than doubled since 1900 , thanks to advancements in medicine, technology, and general hygiene. Falling mortality rates are certainly nothing to complain about either, but widespread longevity does contribute to the mathematics of increasing population numbers.

Underutilized Contraception 

The global fertility rate has fallen steadily over the years, down from an average of 5 children per woman in 1950 to 2.4 children per woman today, according to the UN Population Division . Along with that promising trend, contraceptive use has slowly but steadily increased globally, rising from 54% in 1990 to 57.4% in 2015. Yet, on the whole, contraceptive use is still underutilized. For example, according to the WHO, an estimated 214 million women in developing countries who want to avoid pregnancy are not using modern contraceptives.

These women aren’t using contraceptives for a variety of reasons, including social norms or religious beliefs that discourage birth control, misconceptions about adverse side effects, and a lack of agency for women to make decisions around sex and family planning. An estimated 44% of pregnancies were unintended worldwide between 2010-2014. Getting more women the access and agency to utilize family planning methods could go a long way in flattening the population curve.

Lack of Female Education    

Although female access to education has increased over the years, the gender gap remains. Roughly 130 million girls worldwide are out of school currently, and an estimated 15 million girls of primary school age will never   learn to read and write, compared with 10 million boys.

Increasing and encouraging education among women and girls can have a number of positive ripple effects, including delayed childbearing , healthier children, and an increase in workforce participation. Plenty of evidence suggests a negative correlation between female education and fertility rates.

If increased female education can delay or decrease fertility and provide girls with opportunities beyond an early marriage, it could also help to mitigate current population trends. 

The Effects of Overpopulation

It is only logical that an increase in the world’s population will cause additional strains on resources. More people means an increased demand for food, water, housing, energy, healthcare, transportation, and more. And all that consumption contributes to ecological degradation, increased conflicts, and a higher risk of large-scale disasters like pandemics.  

Ecological Degradation 

An increase in population will inevitably create pressures leading to more deforestation, decreased biodiversity, and spikes in pollution and emissions, which will exacerbate climate change . Ultimately, unless we take action to help minimize further population growth heading into the remainder of this century, many scientists believe the additional stress on the planet will lead to ecological disruption and collapse so severe it threatens the viability of life on Earth as we know it. 

Each spike in the global population has a measurable impact on the planet’s health. According to estimates in a study by Wynes and Nicholas (2017) , a family having one fewer child could reduce emissions by 58.6 tonnes CO2-equivalent per year in developed countries.

Increased Conflicts 

The scarcity brought about by environmental disruption and overpopulation has the potential to trigger an increase in violence and political unrest. We’re already seeing wars fought over water, land, and energy resources in the Middle East and other regions, and the turmoil is likely to increase as the global population grows even larger.

Higher Risk of Disasters and Pandemics 

Many of the recent novel pathogens that have devastated humans around the world, including COVID-19, Zika virus, Ebola, and West Nile virus, originated in animals or insects before passing to humans. Part of the reason the world is entering “ a period of increased outbreak activity ” is because humans are destroying wildlife habitats and coming into contact with wild animals on a more regular basis. Now that we’re in the midst of a pandemic, it has become clear how difficult it is to social distance in a world occupied by nearly 8 billion people.   

Discover the real causes and effects of overpopulation

What can be done about overpopulation.

When addressing overpopulation, it’s crucial to take an approach of providing empowerment while mobilizing against anybody advocating for the use of coercion or violence to solve our problems. The combined efforts of spreading knowledge about family planning, increasing agency among women , and debunking widely held myths about contraception will measurably change the trajectory of the world’s population.

As we carry out our work at Population Media Center (PMC), we see first-hand that spreading awareness about family planning methods and the ecological and economic benefits of having smaller families can change reproductive behavior. For example, listeners of our Burundian radio show Agashi (“Hey! Look Again!”) were 1.7 times more likely than non-listeners to confirm that they were willing to negotiate condom use with a sexual partner and 1.8 times more likely than non-listeners to say that they generally approve of family planning for limiting the number of children.

At PMC we harness the power of storytelling to empower listeners to live healthier and more prosperous lives, which in turn contributes to stabilizing the global population so that people can live sustainably with the world’s renewable resources. Discover how PMC is taking action against overpopulation today!

We’re Focused on Making an Impact. Learn More About Our Work.

Global sustainability.

Women’s Rights

More Readings

How do overpopulation and overconsumption damage the environment what you need to know.

How Is Population Growth Responsible for the Growing Problem of Water Scarcity

What lies ahead after the world’s population reaches 8 billion , how does overpopulation affect the economy.

Overpopulation: Causes, Effects and Consequences Essay

Introduction, causes of overpopulation, effects of overpopulation, possible solutions to overpopulation.

Overpopulation is a highly unfavorable condition characterized by the total number of people on Earth exceeding its carrying capacity. Overpopulation is caused by positive changes in people’s welfare: better health care, higher life expectancy, reduced rates of mortality, etc. Technological advances improving the quality of life and increasing lifespan lead to the unceasing population growth. As a result, even wars, natural disasters, and man-made threats are unable to balance birth rates (Pimentel, 2006).

The essay at hand is going to analyze the existing problem investigating its causes and effects. The primary objective is to highlight the deplorable consequences of overpopulation and thereby persuade people not to overpopulate. Possible solutions will also be suggested.

• Reduced death rates. Overpopulation appears when births outnumber deaths. Currently, there are many factors that may increase death rates for a short period of time such as wars or natural calamities. However, the above-mentioned positive factors increasing the number of births are more influential and sustainable (Pimentel, 2006).
• Better health care. Discoveries in medicine help people struggle successfully against a whole range of diseases that were previously considered terminal (Jargin, 2009).
• Need for bigger families to overcome poverty. In the past, poor people gave birth to a lot of children to make up for high mortality rates among babies. Besides, such families always needed working hands. Nowadays, most children survive creating overpopulation (Pimentel, 2006).
• Fertility treatment. It is now possible for partners who are unable to conceive to have a baby after they undergo fertility treatment. Besides, the course of pregnancy is much safer due to technological advances in the field (Pimentel, 2006).
• Immigration. People from developing countries often opt to move to areas more comfortable for living. Although the overall population of the planet remains unchanged with immigration, it creates overcrowded areas and causes resource shortages (Jargin, 2009).
• Neglect of family planning. The population of developing countries is mostly illiterate and is completely unaware of family planning. Besides, people there usually get married at an early age to increase the chances of having more children (Jargin, 2009).

Very few people understand how severe the consequences of overpopulation can be. It is not regarded as a big issue even by the world governments, which do not take measures to prevent it (e.g. China has recently abolished the policy restricting the number of children in a family). However, there exist weighty arguments about why people should stop overpopulation. Some of them are (Kuo, 2012):

• Depletion of natural resources. The current needs for food and water already go far beyond Earth’s capacity. People not only consume more than the planet can offer but also do irreparable damage to the environment (which increases proportionally with the population growth). If we do not stop overpopulation, the planet will run a huge risk of total resource depletion. At present, the lack of resources causes acts of violence at the national scale and provokes global conflicts.
• Destruction of the environment. Overpopulation implies a greater number of vehicles. Their emissions coupled with industrial wastes pollute the air and kill wildlife. Moreover, they create a greenhouse effect and change climatic patterns. Therefore, continuing overpopulation will lead to another global climatic catastrophe, which may result in the extinction of our species.
• Armed conflicts. As has already been mentioned, countries confront one another fighting for resources. Conflicts over water and food lead to starvation.
• Poverty. Overpopulation accounts for aggravation of poverty. A lot of people who survive due to the advancement of medicine live in societies that cannot provide enough resources for a large population. It means that the majority of citizens have to stay below the poverty line. Unless the measures against overpopulation are taken, developing countries will have to deal with the enormous gap between the rich and the poor.
• Increasing unemployment. A growing population needs jobs to earn a living. Unfortunately, the number of vacancies is limited. Staying without any occupation makes people engage in criminal activities such as stealing or even murder.
• High costs of living. Overpopulation exerts a negative influence on the world economy. With more and more babies born every day, the difference between supply and demand becomes huger. Besides, the goods and services produced are not distributed equally: generally, areas that are the most densely populated suffer from the lack of food, clothing, health care, shelter, and basic modern conveniences (leaving alone luxury goods) whereas developed countries encounter the problem of oversaturation. Despite such differences, prices continue to grow everywhere. which means that people are forced to pay more and more to survive. In the long run, unless the problem is solved, huge regions will not be able to afford even basic elements of living.

As it is evident from the analysis, overpopulation deals not only with dissatisfaction caused by having to tolerate more neighbors but rather presents a threat to the whole humanity that will have to encounter wars, poverty, and famine if it fails to find the way out.

No matter how grave the problem might be, there are still measures that can be taken to stop overpopulation. These are (Pencheon, 2012):

• Better awareness. Social changes must begin with attempts to increase awareness of the problem. Governments can impose various policies and laws but their effectiveness will directly depend on the attitude of the mass population. People must understand the necessity to have no more than two children.
• The right to make a reproductive choice. Women must be able to have an abortion if they decide that they cannot afford to raise a child. Voluntary sterilization should also be allowed as an option.
• Promotion of family planning. Since many families simply do not know anything about family planning, it is important to teach them various methods of contraception that make it possible to prevent an undesired pregnancy.
• Introduction of family policies, tax benefits, or concessions. Governments may choose between positive and negative reinforcements: they can introduce policies punishing families that have more children than it is allowed with additional taxes or, on the contrary, they can lower the income tax for those who do not have children or have only one child. Financial motivation is usually very strong and makes people reconsider their decisions.
• Sex education for children. A lot of parents feel embarrassed to discuss sex-related issues with children, which results in dangerous, unprotected sexual activities and unwanted pregnancies. This can be avoided with proper education in the subject.

Human overpopulation now ranges among the most pressing world problems. Without our awareness, it exacerbates the hidden forces that trigger global warming, deterioration of the environment, extinction of species, air pollution, depletion of natural resources, and other damages happening at speeds that are much faster than our planet’s capacity for regeneration. It means that if we continue ignoring the problem, sooner or later we may be left without a place to populate.

Jargin, S. V. (2009). Overpopulation and modern ethics. SAMJ: South African Medical Journal , 99 (8), 572-573.

Kuo, G. (2012). MegaCrisis? Overpopulation Is the Problem. World Future Review , 4 (3), 23-32.

Pencheon, D. (2012). People and planet: from vicious cycle to virtuous circle: Overpopulation, poverty, and environmental degradation share common solutions. BMJ: British Medical Journal , 345 (7864), 9-23.

Pimentel, D. (2006). Overpopulation and sustainability. Petroleum Review , 59 (1), 34-36.

• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2023, October 31). Overpopulation: Causes, Effects and Consequences. https://ivypanda.com/essays/overpopulation-causes-effects-and-consequences/

"Overpopulation: Causes, Effects and Consequences." IvyPanda , 31 Oct. 2023, ivypanda.com/essays/overpopulation-causes-effects-and-consequences/.

IvyPanda . (2023) 'Overpopulation: Causes, Effects and Consequences'. 31 October.

IvyPanda . 2023. "Overpopulation: Causes, Effects and Consequences." October 31, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/overpopulation-causes-effects-and-consequences/.

1. IvyPanda . "Overpopulation: Causes, Effects and Consequences." October 31, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/overpopulation-causes-effects-and-consequences/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Overpopulation: Causes, Effects and Consequences." October 31, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/overpopulation-causes-effects-and-consequences/.

• Overpopulation Benefits
• Human Overpopulation and Its Global Impact
• The Problem of Overpopulation
• Birth Control Against Overpopulation
• Overpopulation and Limit on Number of Children
• How Overpopulation Affects Our Economy
• Overpopulation Challenges in China
• Overpopulation: "Empty Planet" by Bricker & Ibbitson
• Does the Overpopulation of Our Planet Pose a Serious Problem?
• Overpopulation Effects on the Environment
• Australian Population Growth and Forecast for 2020
• China and India Population: Causes, Impact and Management
• Urban Climacteric in Davis' "The Planet of Slums"
• Population Dynamics and Increase Reasons
• Malthus’s Demographic Disaster and Its Prevention

• Writing Correction
• Online Prep Platform
• Online Course
• Speaking Assessment
• Ace The IELTS
• Target Band 7
• Practice Tests Downloads
• IELTS Success Formula
• Essays Band 9 IELTS Writing Task 2 samples – IELTS Band 9 essays
• Essays Band 8 IELTS Writing – samples of IELTS essays of Band 8
• Essays Band 7 IELTS Writing – samples of IELTS essays of Band 7
• Essays Band 6 IELTS Writing – samples of IELTS essays of Band 6
• Essays Band 5 IELTS Writing – samples of IELTS essays of Band 5
• Reports Band 9 IELTS Writing – samples of IELTS reports of Band 9 (Academic Writing Task 1)
• Reports Band 8 IELTS Writing – samples of IELTS reports of Band 8
• Reports Band 7 IELTS Writing – samples of IELTS reports of Band 7
• Letters Band 9 IELTS Writing Task 1 – samples of IELTS letters of Band 9
• Letters Band 8 IELTS Writing – samples of IELTS letters of Band 8
• Letters Band 7 IELTS Writing – samples of IELTS letters of Band 7
• Speaking Samples
• Tests Samples
• 2023, 2024 IELTS questions
• 2022 IELTS questions
• 2021 IELTS questions
• 2020 IELTS questions
• High Scorer’s Advice IELTS high achievers share their secrets
• IELTS Results Competition
• IELTS-Blog App

IELTS Essay, topic: Overpopulation

• IELTS Essays - Band 6

The world is experiencing a dramatic increase in population, which is causing problems not only for poor, undeveloped countries, but also for industrialized and developed nations. Describe some of the problems that overpopulation causes, and suggest at least one possible solution. You should write at least 250 words. You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Nowadays, the population dramatically in most countries around the world. This is true for the developed and developing nations. Overpopulation a different number of problems. However, the government can these problems in many .

There are different problems that overpopulation causes in rich nations. Firstly, it is very difficult for governments to provide helpful public services in overcrowded cities. Moreover, there is generally a higher level of crimes being committed, such as drugs abuse, murders, thefts, . often cause by the high rates of unemployment.

However, overpopulation problems in nations have two main which they are by governments. Firstly, the government must educate people about limiting the size of the family. For example, in China they have a policy called “one child policy” which limits the size of the family to one or two children, and this is beginning to have an effect on the world’s most crowded nation.

To sum up, if the impulsive population increase continues, many more people will die of hunger in the poor countries. Also, in rich nations, the life in the cities will become more and more difficult.

This essay covers the task and has a good content. However there are several areas to improve. The grammar needs more attention (see comments underlined in blue). In the first paragraph, the last sentence has instances of repetition of solve and solution, you could say instead “can find many solutions to those problems”. In the third paragraph, the last sentence has poor structure and looks unfinished. Overall, this looks like a Band 6 – 6.5 essay.

Click here to see more IELTS essays of band 6

Related posts:

• IELTS essay, topic: Should school children be given homework (opinion)? This is a model response to a Writing Task 2...
• IELTS essay, topic: Having a salaried job is better than being self-employed (agree/disagree) This is a model response to a Writing Task 2...
• IELTS essay, topic: What is the best motivation for workers – salary, job satisfaction or helping others? This is a model response to a Writing Task 2...
• IELTS essay, topic: Is studying at university better than getting a job straight after school (opinion)? This is a model response to a Writing Task 2...
• IELTS essay, topic: Some people like to own their home while others prefer to rent it (discuss) This is a model response to a Writing Task 2...

2 thoughts on “IELTS Essay, topic: Overpopulation”

Pingback:  IELTS Essay Samples of Band 6 | IELTS-Blog

In some countries young people are encouraged to work or travel for a year between finishing high school and starting university. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for young people who decide to do this

Travelling unprecedented states after completing high school predominantly, crutches young people on acquiring knowledge and experience.When young people gain knowledge, it does favour for them in upcoming curriculum.Beside this, visiting in other countries assist young people for dealing with the lifestyles and cultures of others.To cite an instance,last year me and my friend had visited African countries resulting in, being familiar with african lifestyles.This not only, wides the knowledge and skill but also, contributes massively in freshing our minds and providing pleasure.

On the other hand,while travelling other countries,it rises some sort of cons. Initially,it mesmarises young people toward those countries. Nevertheless, going other places have a major obligation in gaining knowledge,it could fascinate young people in those countries.For example,young people of developing countries are migrating day by day in western lands in sue of better life styles and accommodations.More importantantly, this scenario is leading in shortage of manpower in native province.Therefore, day by day it is fabricating huge scarcity of skill human resources in developing nations.

In a gist, it is optimal for visiting other countries during vacation but, it is awful in shifting towards those countries.In my opinion, young people should not lure those countries in shake of better life.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Home — Essay Samples — Social Issues — Overpopulation — The Causes, Effects, and Consequences of Overpopulation

The Causes, Effects, and Consequences of Overpopulation

• Categories: Overpopulation Population Growth

About this sample

Words: 683 |

Published: Jan 29, 2024

Words: 683 | Pages: 2 | 4 min read

Table of contents

Causes of overpopulation, effects of overpopulation, consequences of overpopulation, potential solutions, references:.

• Cohen, J. E. (1995). How many people can the earth support?. Norton & Company.
• Daniels, R. J. (2008). The effects of overpopulation on environment and society. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society, 105(2), 212-218.
• Ehrlich, P. R. (1968). The population bomb. Sierra Club/Ballantine Books.
• Mazur, L. A. (1998). A concise guide to the world population. ABC-CLIO.
• World Population Prospects 2019: Highlights. (2019). United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division.

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Prof. Kifaru

Verified writer

• Expert in: Social Issues Sociology

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

2 pages / 746 words

3 pages / 1178 words

1 pages / 477 words

4 pages / 2001 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Overpopulation

This essay has explored the various dimensions of the relationship between colonialism, overpopulation, and resource allocation. By examining the historical context, political dynamics, socioeconomic factors, and postcolonial [...]

Overpopulation poses a significant threat to the sustainability of the planet. To address this challenge comprehensively, an interdisciplinary approach is required. By incorporating insights from sociology, economics, [...]

The issue of overpopulation has significant implications for social inequality, particularly concerning access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities. This essay has explored the causes and consequences of [...]

Managing population growth is a complex issue that requires a range of legal frameworks. Family planning policies and immigration controls are two key approaches that governments employ to address overpopulation effectively. By [...]

Overpopulation poses significant challenges to both urban and rural areas, albeit in different ways. Urban areas grapple with strained infrastructure, resource scarcity, social fragmentation, and growing socioeconomic [...]

In conclusion, the challenges posed by overpopulation in densely populated areas require innovative and sustainable solutions. AI presents a tremendous opportunity to optimize resource distribution, enhance healthcare services, [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

Home Essay Examples Sociology Overpopulation

Overpopulation: Meaning And Solutions

• Category Sociology
• Subcategory Human Populations
• Topic Overpopulation

Overpopulation is one of the world’s most pressing global issues, overpopulation is when there are too many people in a region or in the whole world. It is actually dangerous for me because if there is overpopulation then will all of our resources is enough? Will it be able to sustain all of us or will we run out of them and people will start to freak out and fight for the resources? I hope not cause it is really horrible to think, people fighting, killing, each other for shelter? Food? Water? And so on? The consequences are on the edge of a cliff, that’s just in any time will fall because it’s helded root is too fragile to take it’s weight.

According to Wikipedia ‘Overpopulation can result from an increase in births, a decline in mortality rates, an increase in immigration, or an unsustainable biome and depletion of resources. It is possible for very sparsely populated areas to be overpopulated if the area has a meagre or non-existent capability to sustain life.’ Yes, truth is areas like desert can’t sustain a human life, but some can but most of the deserts can’t they can only sustain desert creatures because they are shaped to live in a land like that. And let’s say if a group lives in a vast desert, they’ve run out of resources, how will they survive? People can live in deserts but in only a matter of time, they won’t last long. Overpopulation were increasing every time, we might can’t feel it now but we will soon. One of the reasons of overpopulation is the increase in births, which in this time were growing rapidly and increasing before our eyes, many teenage pregnancy cases were reported, counted and some of the mothers might experience some illness.

Our writers can write you a new plagiarism-free essay on any topic

In the other hand, Poverty is also one of the contributing causes of overpopulation because for the poor having more child means many chances of winning but in some cases, it is the opposite actually. Overpopulation exploded over the last half-century of the world’s population. There are almost seven billion people in the writing but that number is expected to grow in a short period of time. And if that happens, just like what I stated above, will our resources be enough to fuel us for years? Or we’ll experience a shortage? But if we can eradicate this there’s a big chance that we can stop the unimaginable consequences. Family planning is also one of the reasons because people who have lack of education don’t know the use of contraceptive and that leads us to another cause which is the Misuse of Contraceptives, contraceptives are good and bad for some couples cause it prevents pregnancy, condoms, pills are an example of contraceptives which is can be bought at pharmacies these days to eradicate the chance of exploding of another series of overpopulation. There are many reasons for Overpopulation which follows the Fertility Treatment which is only plays a minor role in Overpopulation it means that which improved fertility treatments and the number of women using it is on the rise making people possible to have children.

In addition those causes can actually be avoided if all people have a proper education, it can be prevented if people were more eager to choose studies than above anything. There are effects I’d like to point to highlight this, first is as I have mentioned the Lack of Resources it can be either food, water, shelter, fossil fuels. If overpopulation continues to bloom the natural fresh water can’t be enough for billions of people drinking everyday of their life. And imagine that what will be our alternative if we live without water? The artificial juices? The purified drinking water? Natural fresh water is always the best. Another effect is the increased intensive farming which farmers will have to plant large number of crops to feed a more larger number of people and yet farmers our very own heroes, were being treated poorly, which is very wrong, the rice you eat today is the plant they’d taken care, watered and harvested, waited for months for it to grow in what kind of shape they are now. They should be our heroes and yet people lookdown of them. When truth is they are our sole provider, the masters of our food, the fishermans the herders of animals, the farmers of fruits and vegetables. Some of them almost spend their entire life just to plant, because that’s what their fathers, their ancestors taught them. We should be thankful for having them, imagine a life without them what will we eat? Processed foods? I don’t think so, although it’s the fastest way to eradicate overpopulation but it still isn’t the best option. There are a lot if people will just do them for our own good, let’s hope fir the better.

There are several solutions that should be done today to avoid consequences in the future, namely, better sex education which will help people to understand the chances

of over population too, they will know about the right use of contraceptives and better education cause if people ants children are more educated imagine what could we be. We can be grater than ever, we would be wiser and more mindful of our own doings. We can eradicate poverty by giving people better education, better perspective, and better view of things the poor won’t think that having many children means more chances of winning anymore, children will be loved by their parents and they won’t be seen as chances to riches, they will be seen as the gift of god to their parents. And lastly educate people about overpopulation, it’s causes, effects and solutions. So they’ll understand how dangers the consequences of overpopulation could be. Let’s promote family planning and the use of contraceptives, if couples don’t want babies then they should use contraceptives, we would not want any unwanted pitiful child anymore, we can’t deal any newborn child just dumped in streets just because their parents isn’t ready for them, the youth nowadays should be more responsible of their own doings. They should spread love not legs. The basic rule of our elders, make your studies a priority above anything, family comes next, and yourself comes first too. We can be good if we fight with this.

Therefore, if we have a proper education I’ll say we would be greater, we would be good and more wiser than ever, we can make greater, better, best solutions for our problems, we can be the best versions of ourselves than we ever know. We’ll never know what will happen but let’s take the risk and let’s be great. If we can do the solutions we can at least stop of decrease the chances of the unimaginable consequences of overpopulation and our any other worldwide issues, just like climate change and many other things. We should preserve our Earth so our children in the future can still see the beauty and wonders of it, like the vast open seas, the green trees, the sound of the flowing water, the vast blue sky, and lastly, the smile on every people’s faces. We can empower, inspire ourselves to protect Earth at all costs. Stay still and let’s stand with this.                

We have 98 writers available online to start working on your essay just NOW!

Related Topics

Related essays.

By clicking "Send essay" you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

By clicking "Receive essay" you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

We can edit this one and make it plagiarism-free in no time

We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

50 Latest Overpopulation IELTS Topics

• Unlimited Essay Checks: Practice and perfect your skills.
• Detailed Error Analysis: Spot every mistake.
• In-Built Grammar Checker: Say no to grammatical errors.
• Personalized Suggestions: Know how to boost your score.
• Progress Tracking: View your checked essay history.
• Still thinking? We have a 14-day money-back guarantee. Take a leap of faith!

Overpopulation in World Essay in English for Children and Students

Table of Contents

Overpopulation refers to a situation where the number of humans in a particular place becomes more than the carrying capacity of that particular place. In a broader perspective the term overpopulation is also used for planet earth, because of the incessant rise in human population.

Fill Out the Form for Expert Academic Guidance!

Please indicate your interest Live Classes Books Test Series Self Learning

Verify OTP Code (required)

I agree to the terms and conditions and privacy policy .

Fill complete details

Target Exam ---

There are various factors responsible for overpopulation like – low mortality rate; better public amenities; availability of food and habitat etc. A few social factors like illiteracy, poverty and no family planning are also responsible for overpopulation in developing or underdeveloped nations.

Long and Short Essay on Overpopulation in World in English

Below we have provided long and short essay on overpopulation in world. These overpopulation in world essay have been written in simple language covering all the vital topics under the heading overpopulation.

After going through the following essays you will know the causes of overpopulation in world; causes of overpopulation in India and other developing countries; what are the social effects of overpopulation; effects of overpopulation on health; what are the solutions of overpopulation etc.

Short Essay on Overpopulation in World (200 words) – Essay 1

Overpopulation is the overcrowding of earth due to unregulated population growth of humans. There are many economical and social factors leading to overpopulation. It could result from low mortality rate, high birth rate, illiteracy, lack of family planning, large scale migration etc. Also, depletion of natural resources at one place results in overpopulation at some other place, where the resources are abundant.

An improvement in the past century in basic healthcare facilities and amenities has led to a decline in mortality rate, thus causing the population to grow consistently and is set to continue growing in to the next century.

Overpopulation, despite being a significant global issue, doesn’t get its due consideration. Still not much is being done by the world, to regulate population or to counter its effects. Overpopulation can serious hamper the growth of a nation, causing issues like – unemployment, scarcity of resources, habitat destruction and law and order problems among others.

Necessary steps must be taken to keep the world population under control, so that no place on earth gets overcrowded with humans and become scarce in vital resources, making survival difficult. Along with the mentioned effects, overpopulation also indirectly affects the environment up to large extent.

Essay on Causes of Overpopulation in World (300 words) – Essay 2

Introduction

Overpopulation is the growing cause of concern throughout the world. It refers to an increase in population over a specific area, so much so, that the particular area becomes overcrowded, beyond its natural capacity. There are many reasons for overpopulation will we will discuss further in the essay.

Causes of Overpopulation in World

There could be various factors causing overpopulation in the world. Large scale immigration of people from one place to another because of political, communal or other issues may cause overpopulation at a particular place. People migrate to neighboring country to escape political upheaval or military conflicts on their own soil.

There is also a trend of migration from underdeveloped or developing countries to the developed nations. Mostly, labour class undertakes such migration in search of better financial opportunities. This migration however causes the population of the host nation to swell up.

Another significant factor that has been contributing to the population growth in the world is high life expectancy due to better medical facilities and development in medical science. People, today are dying less due to diseases, those had been claimed millions of lives in the past century.

Causes of Overpopulation in India and other Developing Countries

The main causes for overpopulation in India and other similar developing countries differ slightly from that of the world. Overpopulation in India is caused by factors like poverty, ignorance, lack of family planning, child labour, and reduced mortality rate, interstate immigration etc.

Poverty in India is considered to be one of the prime causes of overpopulation. Poverty leads to illiteracy and lack of awareness on issues like – contraceptive use and family planning; this, leading to a uncontrolled population growth in deprived areas.

The cause of overpopulation in the world is many and they differ from place to place. At one place migration might causing it, at another place it might have been caused due to poverty. Whatever the cause may be, we must take necessary steps to reduce overpopulation.

Essay on Effects of Overpopulation in World (400 words) – Essay 3

There are many effects of overpopulation in the world. Overpopulation in a place causes scarcity of available resources leading to deprivation and poverty. Moreover, it also causes unemployment, as the number of persons in need of a particular job, large outgrows the total number of actual vacancies. Two of the most common effects of overpopulation- social and health are discussed below.

Effects of Overpopulation in World

• Social Effects of Overpopulation

There are a variety of social effects of overpopulation, ranging from, poverty, unemployment, poor hygienic conditions and a scarcity of resources for a community. When the population of a particular area rises beyond the destined capacity of that place, then a number of changes in the society are witnessed.

For example, if a fresh water resource is used by more people than it can sustain; then such situation often results in conflicts. People tend to fight with each other over the use of resources.

Overpopulation also leads to scarcity of food and unemployment, causing large scale poverty, hunger and poor hygiene.

• Effects of Overpopulation on Health

Overpopulation also has an adverse effect on health of an individual, due to scarcity of food and other resources. The food and other resources, those had been available in abundance, become scarce, when the population of a place grows beyond a specific limit. Moreover, overpopulation is directly related to unemployment and latter could be directly associated to malnutrition and depleting health conditions.

Many people living in a crowded area also results in habitat destruction, reducing the quality of air and other vital parameters, resulting in poor health condition. As more people start living in an area, it becomes imperative to cut down trees and clear vegetation to make houses for them. Thus, begins the vicious cycle of materialistic growth compromising the health and fitness of humans.

People residing in populated areas are often seen living in poor health and hygienic conditions with no access to basic health amenities, clean air and clean water.

Overpopulation in area causes evident social and health effects on the individuals and the society as a whole. From poor health and hygiene conditions to natural resource depletion, unemployment and increase in criminal activities – overpopulation has a hand in all these adversities. It therefore becomes important that we take necessary remedial measures before the populations goes beyond the specified limit.

Essay on Solutions of Overpopulation in World (500 words) – Essay 4

The problem of overpopulation is grave, but as every problem has a solution, so overpopulation too has solutions; though, it may take some time before the results are evident, but the effort would be worth it. Below, the solutions for overpopulation in the world, India and other developing countries along with the government’s efforts in reducing overpopulation are discussed below.

Solutions of Overpopulation in World

Solutions to eliminate overpopulation in the world are discussed below. For the convenience of understanding, in this heading we will discuss the matter of overpopulation only in developed countries.

The main reason behind the concentration of population over a particular area in developed countries is the availability of resources and better growth opportunities. People tend to concentrate over the place where irrigation, water, electricity and other amenities are available in abundance. Necessary efforts must be made by the respective government to make the basic public amenities to the people in their native place of residence.

Any political or military conflict must be resolved quickly by the intervention of world community to prevent cross border migration and population complications at other places.

Solution of Overpopulation in India and other Developing Countries

The main causes of overpopulation in India and other countries are poverty, illiteracy and lack of basic knowledge about family planning. Majority of population in India and other developing nations, still reside in villages, where they lack basic education and other facilities than the cities.

People residing in villages still shy from talking on issues like family planning and use of contraceptives is considered a taboo. Therefore, awareness through education seems to be the only appropriate solution for a developing country like India.

People must be told about the significance of family planning and that shying away from it will only aggravate their financial crisis and reduce their social status. It is indeed more economical and practical to feed a family of four than a family of six or ten members. Also, they must be insisted to use contraceptives and that it is necessary for their family’s welfare and overall health.

What is Government doing about Overpopulation?

The government’s agenda to eliminate overpopulation include acting up on the root causes – education and health care. Despite making a number of reforms in these two sectors, the government is also making efforts to make people aware of family planning. A well trained team of doctors and paramedical staff in the primary health centers across the country are educating people about the advantages of a small family and its overall effects on the nation’s growth.

They also teach people about the use of contraceptives to eliminate the possibility of conception. The government is also distributing free contraceptives to remote locations through the PHCs.

The most important solutions to overpopulation are education and awareness of people. The more educated and aware the people are, the more remote will be the possibility of overpopulation. The government has made considerable effort towards keeping the population under control but a lot more still needed to be done.

Long Essay on Overpopulation in World (600 words) – Essay 5

Overpopulation in the world is a global phenomenon and is more evident in developing and underdeveloped countries. Even the developed countries witness a large influx of migratory population from the developing and under developed countries. In the following essay we will discuss on the causes of overpopulation, the problems of overpopulation, state of overpopulation in India and other developing countries and the solution of overpopulation.

What Causes Overpopulation?

1) Illiteracy

Illiteracy is one of the main causes of overpopulation in any country over the world. The countries lacking on the front of education have more population growth than others.

2) Lack of Awareness

Lack of public awareness about family planning issues is one of the prime reasons for overpopulation. People are not aware of the effects of overpopulation and its effects on the society and nation. The act is in disregard to their own financial constraints.

3) Poor Health Facilities

Poor condition of basic health amenities is also a prime cause of overpopulation. Absence of a medical professional and non availability of contraceptives, leads to incessant growth in population.

Problems related to the Overpopulation

1) Resources Depletion

Overpopulation causes the depletion of resources over a particular area. As the number of people using a specific resource increases, its fast consumption results in rapid depletion. Vital resource like food and water become scarce in case of overpopulation. Even the basic health and transport facilities become rare.

2) Unemployment

Unemployment is one of the most severe consequences of overpopulation. If the number of people in an area increases beyond limit; however, the number of vacancies in different sectors, by and large remain the same, thereby increasing unemployment. Thus, unemployment becomes a significant ill effect of overpopulation.

Poverty is the next consequence of unemployment caused by overpopulation. However, poverty is also related to scarcity resources and basic amenities of health and education, caused by overpopulation. A crowded place will always have poor employment opportunities, leading to poverty. It is considered as one of the most prominent consequences of population explosion, by the economists of the world.

4) Poor Law and Order

Factors like poverty, unemployment, depletion of natural resources result in poor law and order condition. People fight with each other over vital resources like water and food. Unemployment leads to poverty forcing people to take up illegal professions of robbery and theft, to meet their requirements.

Overpopulation in India and other Developing Countries

Overpopulation in India and similar developing countries is a great cause of concern, as it has many adverse effects on the nation’s progress and growth. All the development loses its sheen due to overpopulation. The state of public transport system and other basic amenities degrades quickly due to large number of people using them.

Overpopulation Solutions

Making the people aware of the ill effects of overpopulation is the most significant method to eliminate the latter. This awareness must be brought by education and advertising through different modes of communication. When people understand that the quality of life depends on the total number of family members, and the lesser the members the more good the finances will be; the fight against overpopulation will become much easier.

Overpopulation leads to various social, economical and developmental issues. It is therefore imperative that the world comes together on the issue of overpopulation and take necessary steps towards eliminating it. Unless the population of the world is kept under control, it would not be possible to achieve the development that the world seeks.

More Information:

• Essay on World Population Day
• Essay on Population
• Essay on Population Growth
• Essay on Family Planning in India
• Paragraph on Population

Related content

Talk to our academic expert!

Language --- English Hindi Marathi Tamil Telugu Malayalam

Get access to free Mock Test and Master Class

Register to Get Free Mock Test and Study Material

Offer Ends in 5:00

The College Study

Essay, Letter , Paragrah , Aplication

Essay on Overpopulation Causes, Effects and Solutions

Overpopulation is a global problem of today. It has reached an alarming extent and demands a quick remedy. Family planning is considered to be the most effective way to check this problem. Family planning helps to create a balance between the population and the resources of a country it means that the population should match the available resources. Any difference gives rise to the problem. On the whole family planning is useful for the happiness and welfare of the individual, the country, and the whole humanity at large.

“It is individuals that populate the world.”

It is the basic right of every human being to get certain basic necessities of life These include proper food, clothing, housing, medical treatment, education, and employment. The availability of these facilities results in peace and prosperity and moral and social welfare of the people. But any laps Creates. moral and Social Crisis.

The overpopulated country is the one that does not have enough basic material facilities to provide to its citizens. Most of the developing countries including Pakistan are the worst victims of overpopulation and need family planning.[the_ad id=”17141″]

[divider style=”dotted” top=”0″ bottom=”10″]

• People are ignorant. They are not aware of the disastrous results of over-population so they overproduce children.
• Many simple people quite wrongly believe that it is irreligious to produce fewer Children It is quite baseless.
• Early marriages are common so these result in battalions of children.
• There is no proper jong term economic planning. So the population increases but resources decrease.
• Poor people do not have many pleasures in life. So they enjoy their married life. It increases the population.

Disastrous Effects

• Overpopulation increases the demand for more jobs but employment opportunities decrease. As a result, many people are left without jobs.
• Second is dearness. According to an economic principle, supply decreases when the demand increases. overpopulation does this.
• In an overpopulated country, people cannot get a sufficient amount of good food. The result is poor health and countless diseases.
• Overpopulation leads to Crowded and Congested living. Houses are narrow, dark, and ill-ventilated. Streets are dirty. Drains stink and gutters overflow.
• In an overpopulated country, people are unhappy.

[the_ad id=”17142″]

“No country can be overpopulated if there is a work for everyone.”

Family planning is the best measure to check overpopulation that causes countless social evils. The following measures can help in effective family planning

[tie_list type=”lightbulb”]

• Proper Spacing: With proper spacing between the birth of the children population can control over-population.
• Limiting the Number: Number of children should be according to income and resources.
• Increase in Resources: It is necessary to increase mineral, agricultural and industrial resources of a country.
• The sense of Responsibility: Everyone must realize his role in national prosperity.
• Role of Govt: The Govt should propagate through media to make people aware of the horrors of over-population.

In the end, we can say that overpopulation is a curse and a permanent threat for the development of the country if we need to keep pace with other nations of the world we should stop the flood of the population. In this regard, only proper family planning can help in creating balance in society and it is the only way to create a happy world.

3 thoughts on “ Essay on Overpopulation Causes, Effects and Solutions ”

Thanks alot : ) for the post.

Thank you ! I love how it is engaging yet eloquent . 🙂

Keep it up!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

Welcome Guest!

• IELTS Listening
• IELTS Reading
• IELTS Writing
• IELTS Writing Task 1
• IELTS Writing Task 2
• IELTS Speaking
• IELTS Speaking Part 1
• IELTS Speaking Part 2
• IELTS Speaking Part 3
• IELTS Practice Tests
• IELTS Listening Practice Tests
• IELTS Reading Practice Tests
• IELTS Writing Practice Tests
• IELTS Speaking Practice Tests
• All Courses
• IELTS Online Classes
• OET Online Classes
• PTE Online Classes
• CELPIP Online Classes
• Free Live Classes
• Australia PR
• Germany Job Seeker Visa
• Austria Job Seeker Visa
• Sweden Job Seeker Visa
• Study Abroad
• Student Testimonials
• Our Trainers
• IELTS Webinar
• Immigration Webinar

Overpopulation in Many Major Urban Centres Around the World is a Major Problem- IELTS Writing Task 2

Updated On Dec 27, 2023

Share on Whatsapp

Share on Email

Share on Linkedin

Limited-Time Offer : Access a FREE 10-Day IELTS Study Plan!

Below you will find a sample essay for the IELTS Essay type: Cause and Solution Essay. By studying this Essay, you can prepare for the IELTS Essay Writing task. This sample essay is written on the topic of Overpopulation.

Overpopulation in many major urban centres around the world is a major problem. What are the causes of this? How can this problem be solved?

Cause and Solution Essay

Introduction

Para 1 : ( Causes )  Overpopulation is rising at an alarming rate in major cities around the world.

Body Paragraphs

Paragraph 1: ( reasons on the issue ) To begin with, although there are plenty of schools and colleges in rural cities, there are very few universities.

Paragraph 2: ( what can be done to reduce the issues ). Secondly, the state authorities and the government should promote multinational companies to open their branches in undeveloped areas.

Summarize your answers

Sample Essay

Overpopulation is rising at an alarming rate in major cities around the world. It is caused by the migration of rural people into urban areas due to the lack of educational or employment opportunities in villages and small towns. Building educational institutions and industries in villages is the most viable solution to this problem.

To begin with, although there are plenty of schools and colleges in rural cities, there are very few universities. It forces many aspiring students to migrate to cities in order to pursue their higher education. Secondly, in urban areas, there is a plethora of industries and companies which provide astronomical employment opportunities to the aspirants. For example, in India, in the last few decades, numerous multinational companies have recruited a major portion of the graduates to work in their firms located in various countries. This, in turn, inspires more and more people to move towards urban centres and better career prospects.

These issues can be tackled by the government by building schools and colleges in villages. This move will make higher education easily accessible to rural people and thus mitigate migration. Secondly, the state authorities and the government should promote multinational companies to open their branches in undeveloped areas. By doing so, the locals may get an employment opportunity in their hometowns . The government can also look to provide incentives to the local farmers, and help supply irrigation facilities to increase the production rate of crops. Hence, people can obtain enough money to survive in less developed areas.

In conclusion, if the government takes necessary steps to build universities and encourage companies to set-up their operations in rural cities, the problem of overpopulation in developed cities can be tackled.

Band 9 Sample Essay

Overpopulation is one of the most severe threats to the planet, producing economic, social, and environmental problems in recent years. It’s been growing at an alarming rate, and it’s a worldwide phenomenon. It is critical for people to become more aware of overpopulation as soon as possible, as awareness is the only way to address this developing catastrophe. Thus, the following essay will elucidate the causes and solutions for this pressing issue.

To begin with, the apparent reason for cities’ overcrowding is that they entice young people with abundant educational, medical, and employment options. Individuals are drawn to metropolitan centres because they offer a variety of opportunities such as better paying professions and better work-life balance. Also, many firms and corporate industries are concentrated in metropolitan regions, causing many young adults from rural and urban areas to relocate to cities in quest of better work prospects and a higher standard of living. Another significant reason for urbanization is the increased availability and accessibility of high-quality education and world-class medical facilities, which benefit everyone’s health and future prospects.

There are, however, viable methods that can be implemented to address these challenges and prevent overpopulation. To begin with, the government can employ the media to project the horrors of overpopulation. Second, the government can offer financial aid and incentives to those who live in smaller towns to start their own businesses. Finally, the government can also provide housing subsidies to encourage individuals to stay in or relocate to rural areas. Furthermore, greater infrastructure and facilities for rural residents should be provided to deter migration from the countryside to cities. Overcrowding in urban areas can be alleviated by improving hospitals, educational institutions, and job prospects in rural areas.

To sum up, overpopulation is a huge problem in the current global scenario, which requires immediate solutions as it has reached alarming rates. Although there are no easy solutions to the complex problem of urban migration, the government and the private sectors can address it by coordinating and taking appropriate steps such as constructing 24/7 medical hospitals colleges and setting up businesses in rural areas to improve the livelihood of the rural population.

Definition : a thing that motivates or encourages someone to do something. Eg. It is essential to give farmers an incentive to improve their land.

Definition : make determined efforts to deal with (a problem or difficult task). Eg.  The police have launched an initiative to tackle rising crime.

• Irrigation 

Definition : the supply of water to land or crops to help growth, typically by means of channels. Eg. The government can irrigate the  supply of water for agricultural crops

Definition : capable of working successfully; feasible. Eg. The proposed investment was viable for the benefits of the company

Definition : directing one’s hopes or ambitions towards becoming a specified type of person. Eg . He is aspiring to create a masterpiece one day.

• Migrate / Migration

Definition : move to a new area or country in order to find work or better living conditions. Eg. The rural populations have migrated to urban areas for better livelihood.

Definition : a large or excessive amount of something. Eg. There were a plethora of subcommittees to join.

• Astronomical 

Definition : extremely large. Eg. He wanted to be compensated with an astronomical fee for his losses.

Definition : the possibility or likelihood of some future event occurring. Eg. There was no prospect of reconciling with his friends and family at the event.

Definition : less severe, serious, or painful. Eg . Various government schemes have helped to mitigate unemployment issues in the country.

• IELTS Essay Topics
• IELTS Sample essays
• IELTS Writing task 2 Tips
• Tips to Improve IELTS Writing Skills
• IELTS Writing recent actual test
• IELTS Writing Answer sheet

Practice IELTS Writing Task 2 based on Essay types

Start Preparing for IELTS: Get Your 10-Day Study Plan Today!

Janice Thompson

Soon after graduating with a Master’s in Literature from Southern Arkansas University, she joined an institute as an English language trainer. She has had innumerous student interactions and has produced a couple of research papers on English language teaching. She soon found that non-native speakers struggled to meet the English language requirements set by foreign universities. It was when she decided to jump ship into IELTS training. From then on, she has been mentoring IELTS aspirants. She joined IELTSMaterial about a year ago, and her contributions have been exceptional. Her essay ideas and vocabulary have taken many students to a band 9.

Explore other Problem Solution Essays

Kasturika Samanta

Post your Comments

Recent articles.

Nehasri Ravishenbagam

Our Offices

Gurgaon city scape, gurgaon bptp.

Step 1 of 3

Great going .

Get a free session from trainer

Have you taken test before?

Please select any option

Get free eBook to excel in test

Please enter Email ID

Get support from an Band 9 trainer

Please enter phone number

Already Registered?

Select a date

Please select a date

Select a time (IST Time Zone)

Please select a time

Mark Your Calendar: Free Session with Expert on

Which exam are you preparing?

Great Going!