Developing countries are experiencing rapid population growth, whereas developed countries are seeing a declining or stabilised population trend. This difference is largely due to variations in economic development, healthcare access, education levels, cultural practices, and government policies.
Below is a comprehensive analysis of why this divergence exists, especially keeping in mind the Indian and broader global context.
1. Differences in Birth Rates
- Developing countries:
High birth rates are a key characteristic. Families often have 3 to 6 children or more due to cultural, social, and economic reasons.- Children are considered economic assets who help in farming, household work, or earning.
- Lack of access to contraceptives and family planning services leads to unplanned pregnancies.
- Many women marry at an early age, leading to longer reproductive spans.
- Developed countries:
Birth rates are low, often below the replacement level (which is 2.1 children per woman). Reasons include:- High cost of raising children.
- Late marriages and career-focused lifestyles.
- Easy access to contraception and reproductive health services.
- Shift in values – more couples choose to remain childless.
2. Differences in Death Rates
- Developing countries:
Improvements in healthcare, nutrition, and sanitation have reduced infant mortality and death rates, but birth rates remain high. This leads to natural population increase. For example, in India:- Infant mortality has dropped from 66 per 1000 live births (2000) to around 28 (2020).
- But birth rates are still high in rural and less educated populations.
- Developed countries:
Death rates are low but so are birth rates. Many developed countries now face population ageing:- Large sections of the population are above 60 years.
- More deaths occur than births, leading to population decline or stagnation.
3. Economic Reasons and Cost of Living
- Developing countries:
Children are seen as support for old age in countries with weak social security systems. Families also believe that having more children ensures that some will survive due to high childhood mortality in the past. - Developed countries:
Raising children is expensive – education, housing, health insurance, etc. This discourages large families. For instance:- In countries like Japan, Germany, or Canada, the average cost of raising a child is very high, leading couples to have fewer or no children.
4. Role of Education and Women’s Empowerment
- Developing countries:
Low female literacy and lack of access to higher education often result in:- Early marriages.
- Less knowledge about family planning.
- Lack of control over reproductive choices.
- Developed countries:
Higher levels of education, especially among women, lead to:- Delayed childbirth.
- Career-oriented life choices.
- Smaller family size due to informed decisions.
5. Government Policies and Population Control Measures
- Developing countries:
Family planning programmes exist but are often underfunded or not effectively implemented. In rural areas, awareness is low. For example:- In India, even though the government offers free sterilisation and contraceptives, social taboos and misinformation still prevent widespread adoption.
- Developed countries:
Policies are now being designed to increase the population.- Countries like France, Japan, and Italy offer financial incentives, paid parental leave, and subsidised childcare to encourage childbirth.
6. Cultural and Religious Factors
- Developing countries:
Certain cultural and religious norms promote larger families. Also:- Male child preference can lead to repeated births until a son is born.
- Community and social status may be linked to family size.
- Developed countries:
Culture often promotes individualism over large families. Social stigma around being childless is low. Couples feel less pressure to conform to traditional family norms.
7. Urbanisation and Lifestyle Differences
- Developing countries:
A large part of the population still lives in rural areas, where agriculture is the main livelihood. Bigger families are seen as necessary for labour. - Developed countries:
Urban living is common, where space and lifestyle choices naturally limit family size:- Apartments and urban housing limit space for children.
- Fast-paced life discourages large families.
8. Migration Patterns
- Developing countries:
Net emigration is common – people move to developed countries for better opportunities. Yet, the home population continues to grow because of high birth rates. - Developed countries:
Many rely on immigration to maintain population size and support the ageing population. For example:- The USA, Canada, and Germany are experiencing labour shortages and hence encourage skilled immigration.
9. Health Infrastructure and Family Planning Services
- Developing countries:
Even though healthcare access is improving, rural and tribal areas still lack access to quality health and reproductive services. - Developed countries:
Almost universal access to healthcare, including sexual and reproductive health, enables better population control and planning.
10. Ageing Populations in Developed Countries
- Developed countries are ageing rapidly:
- Life expectancy is high (over 80 years in many countries).
- Fertility rates are below replacement levels.
- This leads to more old people than young, creating demographic imbalance.
- Developing countries still have a young population:
- In India, over 50% of the population is below 25 years.
- This youthful population is expected to drive future growth — if properly educated and employed.
Conclusion
In summary, the high population growth in developing countries is primarily due to high birth rates, early marriages, low education levels, limited access to contraception, and economic dependency on children. On the other hand, developed countries are experiencing population decline due to low birth rates, ageing populations, career-oriented lifestyles, and economic factors discouraging childbearing.
For countries like India, this demographic trend can be both a challenge and an opportunity. If the large young population is provided with proper education, skills, and employment, it can become a powerful demographic dividend. But if not managed well, it may lead to unemployment, poverty, and social unrest.