Overpopulation, like many environmental problems is an issue that the entire world is faced with. Fertility rates have actually fallen in the majority of the world where women have gained access to education and economic opportunities however, with increased medical care, reliable food supplies, and sanitation children are surviving into adulthood. Small differences in childbearing levels will result in large differences in global population. “If women average a moderate two children, population would rise to 11 billion in the 21st century and level off, if women average 2.5 children, population would pass 27 billion by 2150. However if the fertility rate fell to 1.6 children, population would peak at 7.7 billion in 2050 and drop to 3.6 billion by 2150” (1998 world population sheet.)

There are areas of the world faced with population issues that can serve as examples for the world. India has one billion people living in a country that is one-fourth the size of the United States. India adds more people to the world every day than any other country; each year India is adding 18 million people, roughly another Australia. (World Watch Report). As a result of population problems India is running out of natural resources, water tables are dropping and hunger and malnutrition are increasing, forests are being cut down for human settlements and farming and wood fuel is disappearing. For Americans to understand the population pressures on resources in India, it would be necessary to fit the entire U.S. population east of the Mississippi River and then multiply it by four (Brown & Halweil 1999.)

Malnutrition and other problems associated with less developed nations have always been a problem in India. Overpopulation cannot be blamed completely however, overpopulation escalates the problems that many of these nations face. India has been trying to raise its standard of living, which has been one of the issues increasing population. Increased health practices have raised life expectancy in India to the age of 63. People are not only living longer but are also having more children to increase their standard of living, more people in the family working will result in higher family income. Also with increased population, the number of available jobs decreases, resulting in increased poverty.

In just reading the above text, India’s population has increased by more than 30 people. One hour from now it will be increased by 1,815 people and in a month it will be 1.3 million. Approximately 15.7 million will be gained in a year, which is equivalent to Netherlands’ population (Popline).

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