Quick introduction to Malthus' Theory of Population Growth

1. WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP
BETWEEN FOOD PRODUCTION
AND POPULATION GROWTH?

2. Share of Global Population per Continent,
1700-2000
100%
80%
Oceania
Asia
Middle East
CIS
Africa
Europe
Latin America
North America
60%
40%
20%
19
80
19
40
19
00
18
60
18
20
17
80
17
40
17
00
0%

3. 

4. Malthus’ Theory of Population Growth



In 1798 Thomas Malthus published
his views on the effect of population
on food supply. His theory has two
basic principles:
Population grows at a geometric rate
i.e. 1, 2, 4, 16, 32, etc.
Food production increases at an
arithmetic rate i.e. 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.
Thomas Malthus

5. Malthus (cont.)


The consequence of these two principles is that eventually,
population will exceed the capacity of agriculture to
support the new population numbers. Population would
rise until a limit to growth was reached. Further growth
would be limited when:
• Negative checks - postponement of marriage (lowering of
fertility rate), abstinence, increased cost of food etc.
• Positive checks - famine, war, disease, would increase the
death rate.
Malthusian ideas are often supported by Western
governments because it highlights the problem of too many
mouths to feed, rather than the uneven distribution of
resources.

6. Do you agree with Malthus’ observations?

7. Instructions


Is the Malthusian Theory relevant today?
Refer to your handouts.
Use Paul’s Wheel of Reasoning to build your
argument.
As you present your arguments, the listening groups
will use the Ladder of Feedback to give your
response.