Title: Implication Of Population Growth Rate On Environmental Degradation In Osun State And Its Theoretical Applicability
Authors: AKINLOYE Florence Yetunde and OGUNLEYE, Olusesan Sola
Volume: 9
Issue: 8
Pages: 29-36
Publication Date: 2025/08/28
Abstract:
This study assessed the high population growth rate in Osun State and inquired into its application to Malthusian Population theory and Demographic Transition theory. It also investigated the implications of the population growth rate on the environment. These were with the view to providing a baseline data and necessary information for environmental control and management in the study area and other areas of similar characteristics. Primary and secondary data were used in the study. Primary data included the administration of structured questionnaire and field observation, To extend after 1991 and 2006 census data, exponential growth model was adopted to project population of Osun State. Purposive sampling technique was adopted to select long stayed resident's between 40 years and above. 100 respondents were selected across each of the 12 most populated local government areas according to 2006 population census data i.e 12 x 100 making 1200 respondents. Secondary data include relevant population theories, population data and related literature and documents in the achieves. Data were analyzed using descriptive ad inferential statistics. Results of the projected population and growth rate in Osun State confirmed high growth rate of 0.0306 with 2,158,669, 3,416, 959, 4,875,532 and 5,929,825 people in 1991, 2006, 2016 and 2021 respectively on a constant landmass of 8.602km2. The analysis of the relationship between Malthusian theory, population growth and environmental degradation in Osun State revealed factors such as technological advancement, investments in human capital and access to healthcare as factors that weakens the application of the theory in Osun state. Also, Osun State population growth rate is found related to the third stage of demographic Transition Theory: the stage of late expanding as socio - economic and development progresses, leading to change in family size preferences and increase access to education and contraceptive. In addition more than 80% of the respondents among the residents claimed farming, tillage practices, deforestation and pollution as indicators of environmental degradation as a result of high population in Osun State. This study concluded that when population increases, it will definitely have resultant effects on the environmental degradation.