THE INTERRELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN QUALITY OF LIFE POPULATION GROWTH AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This research is geared towards assessing the interrelationship between quality of life population growth and economic development in Nigeria. Specifically, it examined the indices of economic development in Nigeria, interrogated the relationship between population growth and economic development as well as investigated the role of NPC in promoting economic development in Nigeria. The theoretical framework that is used in the course of this study is the Endogenous Growth Theory and the Malthusian Theory. The study adopted the primary and secondary method of data collection which was used to test the following research hypothesis: There are no identifiable indices of economic development in Nigeria. There is no significant relationship between population growth and economic development in Nigeria. After a careful investigation into the study, recommendations were therefore made based on the results obtained. Some of the recommendations include the need for an undiluted conservative ideology where population increase is seen by many especially in Nigeria as the key to control of political power and resources should be thrown away and a more efficient and functional idea adopted. Also, there is need for the introduction of legislation by the law makers to monitor and control fertility rate in the country with an increased education and awareness as to population dynamics

Chapter one

Introduction

1.1Background of the study

It is the consensus of economists, political scientists, policy makers and even environmentalists that human population is central to sustainable development (Nanda, 2009). The impact of humans on their immediate environment is related to population size, per capita consumption and the impact of the technology used to produce what is consumed (Spiedel, 2019). Thus, population may increase or decrease based on the number of births and death, likewise the inflow and outflow of migrants. For example, in Europe, North America and Oceania, the ratio of inflow of migrants has contributed to its population growth overtime (ibid). Despite the inflow of migrants to these developed countries, the surplus of deaths over births is projected to dominate population change. This basically might not be the case in Africa and the sub-Saharan region, the rate of births over deaths has increased the population number in these regions. The difference between births and deaths counter reacted to the outflow ratio of migrants in Europe and Africa (Odey and Akpanke, 2020).

Contextually, much of contemporary economics on population problems has centered on what could be the optimum size and its impact on economic growth and development (for example, National Research Council (1993); Bloom and Williamson (1998); United Nations (1999); FAO (2000), UNDP (2001) and Onwuka (2003). This economics originated from the question posed by Malthus (1803) as to whether food production could keep pace with the demand of a growing population and his answer that the power of population is indefinitely greater than the resources on earth to provide the needed subsistence for mankind.

Discernible from the above, agriculture seemed to be the major source of livelihood and as a result population growth was positively linked to production in several decades ago. It was believed that more people imply greater productivity and security since more workers or laborers working efficiently would be expected to immensely improve productivity and the overall output of the nation (Tartiyus, Dauda and Peter, 2015). Thus, when societies and economies began to flourish, success was dependent upon a productive agricultural sector and attributed to large population. In this regard, the economy inevitably expanded and the society reaped the financial benefits with more efficient labor. The resultant effect is that the high fertility rates allowed for increased laborers, enhanced productivity, facilitated economic activities and helped overcome the previously recorded exorbitant death rates as a result of combined effects of famine, disease, malnutrition, plague and war (Latimer and Kulkarni, 2008)

As a corollary from the above, the modernization and technological expansion recorded in today’s world allowed societies to gain control of the ailments which was rampant and previously killed large percentages of the population. Societies have now become equipped to overcome famine, malnutrition, and other life threatening diseases. Rapid technological advances in modern medicine and sanitation drastically reduced global mortality rates. Increased technology also improved labor productivity. This combination of both technological and medical improvements set the conditions for unprecedented booms in world population growth, despite conclusions that population growth accounts for long term economic development; there are other contradictory views in theories and literatures. For instance, scholars like Tartiyus, Dauda and Peter (2015) for stated that as the global fertility rates continue to outweigh mortality rate, and currently with almost 7 billion people, the world’s natural resources are being placed under a huge strain. This in turn, gives rise to negative consequences through the different aspects of human lives which are being hampered, especially in developing nations.

Available reports has shown that Nigeria is one of the fastest growing countries in the world with a population growth rate of about 2.44 % as at 2016 according to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), is the most populous country in Africa endowed with wide range of natural resources, and accounts for one in five of Sub-Sahara Africa’s people (CBN, 2016). This is one of the main reasons why Nigeria established the National Population Commission as well as the National Population Policy in 1998 with a mandate to achieve sustainable economic growth, protection and preservation of the environment, poverty eradication, and provision of quality social services, achieving a balance among the rate of population growth, available resources, and the social and economic development of the country (National Population Commission, 2020).

Nigeria’s population according to the National Population commission as at 2016 was 182.2 Million. Further given Nigeria’s high population growth rate which is not peculiar to Nigeria but is a significant feature of a developing country, Nigeria’s population is set to increase even more in the future. This is likely to have implications for Nigeria’s economic growth as it affects a whole range of socio-economic variables.

1.2 Statement of the Research Problem

In the world’s economic history, Nigeria became significant as a result of abundant natural resources, ranging from crude petroleum (oil and gas), to rich water resources, massive fertile arable land and rich forest resources (Ekpebu and Ukpong, 2012). For a developing country, Nigeria has achieved significant growth rates in terms of her economic growth rates with the highest being 9.19% in the third quarter of 2015, although it may be argued that Nigeria’s GDP rebasing in August 2014 may have contributed to that but Nigeria’s large and fast growing population suggests that it may have played a role and needs to be continuously explored in research if Nigeria is to achieve higher growth rates in light of its vast resources.

Existing theories have not provided a clear cut generalization as to the effect of population growth on economic growth of developing nations such as Nigeria and therefore it is difficult to make a pronouncement on Nigeria’s future economic growth prospects on account of its rising population. However, some theories started with the Malthusian Population trap in their statements showing that high population growth exerts pressure on the natural resources available, reduces private and public capital formation and diverts additions to capital resources to maintaining rather than increasing the stock of capital per worker thereby inhibiting economic development. Thus, there is divergence of opinion regarding the desirability of population growth such as the National Population Commission which viewed the above narrative that rapid population growth without proper economic blueprint for development is a real problem for the Nigerian state.

Similarly, a significant number of studies such as Adewole (2012); Dauda and Peter (2015) find population growth to have a positive effect on economic development. However, the adverse implications of rising population for economic development on account of poverty, pollution and unemployment amongst a number of challenges and social ills resulting from increasing populations in developing countries as Nigeria are popularly acknowledged, and from that perspective population growth may negatively affect economic development. Comparatively, studies such as Dao (2012) and Abu (2015) however have argued that population growth has no significant effect on economic development. Given the contrasting findings regarding population growth and economic development therefore, the reality of high poverty and unemployment in Nigeria which as at 2015 were 7.2% and 7.8% respectively as highlighted by Central Bank of Nigeria (2015) and the National Population Commission (2015), and inspite of this, the announcement of Nigeria as the largest economy in Africa in 2014 on account of Nigeria’s GDP rebasing in 2014, suggests that clearly there is need for more research on the trends and effect of population growth on economic development of Nigeria. This is more so as Nigeria continues to experience high population growth rate with no proper evident sign of a rise in economic growth rates in sight

Objective of the study

The main objective of the study is to investigate the interrelationships between quality of life population growth and economic development in Nigeria. The specific objectives are;

1. To examine the indices of economic development in Nigeria.
2. To investigate the relationship between population growth and economic development in Nigeria
3. To investigate the effect of population growth on economic development in Nigeria

Research Question

The following research questions are formulated to guide the study;

1. What are the identifiable indices of economic development in Nigeria?
2. Is there a significant relationship between population growth and economic development in Nigeria?
   1. Does  population growth affect economic development in Nigeria

Research Hypotheses

The following research null hypotheses are formulated to guide the study:

H1: There are no identifiable indices of economic development in Nigeria.

H2: There is no significant relationship between population growth and economic development in Nigeria.

Significance of the study

It is hope that this study would assist the Federal Government, the National Population Commission, organizations and other critical stakeholders to know the critical issues facing the people in terms of economic development and population growth.

It would also serve as a guide to those that are engaged in monetary policy, urban planning, statistics, as well as business administration, banking, finance and insurance. This research study will also serve as a guide to other researcher.

Scope of the study

The scope of the study covers the interrelationship between quality of life population growth and economic development in Nigeria with a view in assessing the role of National Population Commission. The dimension or period used in the study is 2013-2021.

Definition of terms

Interrelationship: Interrelationships are simply the connections between various parts of an organization, including how it reacts with its outside environment

Quality of life: Quality of life is defined by the World Health Organization as “an individual’s perception of their position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which they live and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards and concerns”.

Population growth: Population growth is the increase in the number of people in a population or dispersed group

Economic growth: Economic growth is an increase in the production of goods and services in an economy. Increases in capital goods, labor force, technology, and human capital can all contribute to economic growth

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