Running head: EFFECTS OF POPULATION ON ECONOMIC ADVANCEMENT 1
EFFECTS OF POPULATION ON ECONOMIC ADVANCEMENT 2
Abstract
Population growth and economic advancement of Japan and Somalia vary throughout
history from a pessimistic view to an independent opinion of optimism. Demographic changes
have placed a large emphasis on the risk of economic advancement and the increasing
population. In this research paper, an assessment will cover how the demographic changes in a
population and their influence to the outcome of an economy over an extended amount of time.
Why these changes have occurred and how people have reacted to them. What controversies
contribute to the overall unpredictability of the economy in Japan and Somalia, and what recent
studies have discovered regarding population growth and economic development. With the
increasing population, there are massive improvements that need to be made in order to keep up
with the upcoming demographical changes. Without change in the near future, there will be
other important issues to worry about, such as survival.
Keywords: Population Growth; Economic Advancement; Demographic Change; Japan;
Somalia.
EFFECTS OF POPULATION ON ECONOMIC ADVANCEMENT 3
The Effects of Population Growth in Japan and Somalia on Economic Advancement
The effects of population growth in Japan and Somalia have drawn great influences on
the economic advancement and prosperity of each area. The demographic changes and
influences the population reflects upon the economy are extreme and highly impressionable to
the continuing changes. Evaluating the changes of population over decades of the past and
present questions arise in the ability for economic advancement and the capability of a larger or
smaller populations survival. How will individuals react to the increase or decrease in
population? What economic implications are suggested to inhibit the economy with the future of
population deviations? What changes to population can affect these economies positively?
Lastly, what have studies suggested to control and decline the population to ensure economic
stability and prosperity for the future of Japan and Somalia.
Japan
Japan is composed of approximately 6,800 islands, with the largest four of these islands
holding ninety-seven percent of the declining population. Japan has held the tenth largest
population in recent years despite its decrease from 2010 to 2014 of approximately 128,056,026
people to 126,757,591 people. Japan’s population density is three times higher than Europe, and
an insane twelve times denser then in the United States. Statistics have stated that nearly 98.5
percent of individuals who live within Japan’s many islands are of Japanese decent, and the rest
comprised of foreign workers from Korea, China, Peru, and Brazil. Japan’s population is
currently the oldest in the world with studies showing this to increase nearly 40 percent, forcing
large amounts of the population to enter the age bracket of 65 and older in the next few decades.
Within the country of Japan, several different factors alter the decline of population, which can
create ample amounts of chaos and poverty (Statistical Handbook of Japan, 2014).
EFFECTS OF POPULATION ON ECONOMIC ADVANCEMENT 4
Somalia
Somalia is located in the middle-eastern coast of Africa with a quickly increasing
population from 10 million people in 2013 to approximately 10.8 million people in 2014. Each
year Somalia is enduring a 3 percent increase in population, which in accordance to being the 4th
largest fertility rate of approximately 6.26 children per woman. Population statistics of Somalia
state that 85 percent of individuals who live in Somalia are Somalis, leaving the other 15 percent
Benadiri, Bravanese, Bantus, Ethiopians, Indians, Persians and Italians. A majority of European
individuals who resided in Somalia left after the country gained independence, which left a slight
decrease in population, nothing too drastic. Although Somalia ranks very low on the scale for
population density, the steady increase of individuals is devastating to country advances and
wealth (Trading Economics, 2014).
What factors effect the population of Japan and Somalia?
Many different factors contribute to the increase and decrease of population in areas such
