Rapid population growth and poverty generation in Malawi
House, W.J.; Zimalirana, G.
Journal of Modern African Studies 30(1): 141-161
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-278X DOI: 10.2307/161050Document Number: 319882
This paper initially examines the complexity of both the causes and consequences of the population problem in many Third World countries before considering how current and prospective population growth in Malawi is exerting pressure on land, food security and nutrition, income and employment and health and education. The introductory background section is followed by a section on population dynamics of Malawi, which considers historical growth, population densities and fertility and mortality. The third section relates population growth and poverty, examining the nature and extent of poverty and the causes of poverty. The next section deals with the sectoral implications of population growth with regard to land, food security, nutrition, food sufficiency, income, employment, education and health services. It concludes that, given the country's lack of resources and present stage of development, it is obvious that the rapid growth of population is exerting extreme pressure on many key sectors and is hampering the nation's ability to satisfy the most basic of human needs.