Demographic change and economic growth in Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examines the link between Demographic change and Economic growth from geographical and health perspectives. It highlighted the medical and social factors that engendered demographic change and how the resultant demographic condition affects economic growth. The paper adopted the qualitative method of analysis of textual material for both data collection and data analysis. The findings are that; improvement in public health and medical technology especially that of vaccination against infectious diseases, improvement in agriculture, better nutrition and general sanitation are factors that brought about a reduction in death rates and facilitated increased fertility rate leading to sustained population growth. The resultant population growth seriously affects economic growth as an investment is concentrated on the provision of basic needs to the detriment of capital investment needed for economic growth. The paper recommends the enactment and implementation of realistic population and economic policies.