Impact of Population Growth on Economic Growth in Nigeria (1980-2010)

Abstract

The impact of population growth on economic growth has always been a subject of disagreement among economists. The rate of population growth in Nigeria is high and thus the need to evaluate its impact on economic growth is necessary. This paper evaluates the impact of population growth on economic growth in Nigeria (1980-2010). The research is conducted using secondary data. Data were obtained from the World Development Indicators from 1980-2010. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics as well as regression analysis. The result revealed that there is a positive relationship between economic growth (proxied by GDP growth) and population, fertility and export growth; while negative relationships were found between economic growth (proxied by GDP growth) and life expectancy, and crude death rate. The paper recommends among others that the average population growth rate of Nigeria should be maintained since it is found to impact positively on economic growth in Nigeria within the period of study and that measures should be adopted to check the crude death rate of Nigeria as it affects economic growth negatively.