Civic Education Essay
Since independence in 1964, Zambia’s population been increasing rapidly especially in urban areas. This has had implications on the provision of social services and employment. It is for this reason that this essay critically analyses the implications of rapid urban population growth since 1964 in Zambia and will show how economic development can help reduce Zambia’s population. The essay first defines the key terms which are population and economic development.
Population is defined by William and Ann (2006; 59) that “a population consists of all the members of a single species living in a specific area at the same time. Generally population is the number of people living in a particular geographical area at a given time”. Zambia’s population stands at approximately 13,046,508.
Economic development is the increase in living standards, improvement in self-esteem needs and freedom from oppression as well as a greater choice (Todaro and Smith: 2009). It relates to growth of human capital indexes. It also implies the changes in income saving and investment along with socio-economic structure of the country.
According to projections from the United Nations, Zambia’s population is projected to increase 941% by the end of the century. 64% of Zambia’s population live below the poverty line and the majority in urban areas who usually start their lives in slum areas with poor access to water, sanitation, health care facilities and employment. Zambia is one of the most urbanised countries in Sub-Saharan Africa with 35% of the population living in urban areas (www.globaldevelopment.com).
Zambia’s continuous increase in population size has put pressure on an already overburdened socio-economic resource base particularly in core development sectors such as education, health and food security. Urban population has grown rapidly in Zambia due to several pull factors. These pull factors include mineral resources, availability of manufacturing industries for employment, transport
Population is defined by William and Ann (2006; 59) that “a population consists of all the members of a single species living in a specific area at the same time. Generally population is the number of people living in a particular geographical area at a given time”. Zambia’s population stands at approximately 13,046,508.
Economic development is the increase in living standards, improvement in self-esteem needs and freedom from oppression as well as a greater choice (Todaro and Smith: 2009). It relates to growth of human capital indexes. It also implies the changes in income saving and investment along with socio-economic structure of the country.
According to projections from the United Nations, Zambia’s population is projected to increase 941% by the end of the century. 64% of Zambia’s population live below the poverty line and the majority in urban areas who usually start their lives in slum areas with poor access to water, sanitation, health care facilities and employment. Zambia is one of the most urbanised countries in Sub-Saharan Africa with 35% of the population living in urban areas (www.globaldevelopment.com).
Zambia’s continuous increase in population size has put pressure on an already overburdened socio-economic resource base particularly in core development sectors such as education, health and food security. Urban population has grown rapidly in Zambia due to several pull factors. These pull factors include mineral resources, availability of manufacturing industries for employment, transport