The largest countries in terms of population - where are they located? How many people live in them? You will find the answers to these questions in the article. In addition, we will discuss here how they try to solve the problem of overpopulation in specific states.
Global overpopulation problem
The world's population is about 7.2 billion people. This is exactly the figure announced by Ban Ki-moon in early 2014. The population of our planet is growing at a tremendous speed, because at the end of the twentieth century its population barely reached the mark of 6 billion. But a hundred years ago, no more than two billion people lived on Earth at all.
Some scientists and analysts argue that the world's population is growing so fast that humanity can no longer do anything substantial. No, even the most radical measures of demographic policy, according to Australian researchers, can no longer stop this growth. Therefore, progressive scientists advise focusing attention and strength not on curbing population growth, but on developing methods of rational nature management.
Another global problem is the uneven distribution of the world population. So, almost 65% of all inhabitants of the planet live on 15% of its territory (land). And the largest countries in the world in terms of population are located mainly in one region - in South and East Asia. From here, by the way, "legs" grow for many global environmental as well as social problems.
Largest countries by population (list)
About 60% of all inhabitants of the Earth live in only ten states (recall that there are more than 200 countries in the world). Next, we bring to your attention a list of the 7 largest countries by population. Near each of them the number of inhabitants in millions is indicated:
- China (1373.6).
- India (1280.9).
- United States (321.3).
- Indonesia (257.6).
- Brazil (203.3).
- Pakistan (191.2).
- Nigeria (182.2).
The largest country in terms of population is China. Every fifth inhabitant of the Earth lives here. China is located in Asia. In the same part of the world there are three more states from this list.
China's demographic policy
In the People's Republic of China, they are trying to solve the problem of overpopulation under the loud slogan: "In one family - one child!" The implementation of this program began in the late 70s of the last century. During this time, the birth rate for one woman in China decreased from 5.8 to 1.8. Thus, the demographic policy of China can be assessed as successful.
According to Chinese law, families in this country are allowed to have only one child. The second baby is allowed to start only in the countryside, and even then - if the first girl was born. How are offenders punished in China? First of all, they are fined. Forced abortion and sterilization are also common. It should be noted that for some national minorities these measures do not apply.
The "agitprom" of the PRC also works to reduce the birth rate in the state. Appropriate posters and slogans can be found on the streets, television and even on residential buildings.
Most recently (in October 2015), the Communist Party decided to allow Chinese families to have a second child.
Demographic Policy of India
If the largest country in the world is effectively struggling with the problem of overpopulation, in India much less attention is paid to this problem. True, the family planning program in this Asian state was approved even earlier - in 1951.
The demographic policy in India follows a similar motto: "A small family is a happy family." However, statistics show that it does not go further than beautiful slogans. At the end of the twentieth century, the family planning program in India was clarified. Now she is actively urging the country's citizens to have no more than two children in their families. The goal of the program is to achieve zero annual population growth.
The demographic policy of India provides for administrative, propaganda, as well as medical measures. Special centers distribute modern methods of contraception among the population, conduct regular sterilization. According to statistics, at least five million people are sterilized every year in India.
It is worth noting that the fight against overpopulation in India is not as effective as in China itself. This is indicated by the "dry" numbers. The population of India is growing three times faster than the population of China. In addition, according to the forecasts of many scientists, by the middle of the XXI century, the largest country in the world will lose this championship to India.
Finally...
The population of the Earth is growing at a tremendous pace: today more than seven billion people live on our planet. And by 2100, according to the forecasts of demographers, there will already be about 11 billion of them.
The most populated states in the world are China, India, USA, Indonesia, Brazil. They solve the problem of overpopulation in different ways. For example, the largest country in terms of population - China - is pursuing, as already mentioned, its population policy under the slogan "One family - one child!". And she bears fruit. At the same time, in India, the demographic explosion is receiving little attention.