Summary of the Demographic Background of Problems of Undeveloped Areas

Abstract

HE problem of modernizing undeveloped areas may be usefully approached from the point of view of population changes for two reasons: (1) It is from the demographic point of view that the interrelated nature of social, economic, and political change is most apparent in long-range perspective; and (2) for a large proportion of the world it is the impact of economic and social change on population growth that presents one of the major obstacles to modernization. The purpose of this introductory note is to serve as a background for the following papers by indicating briefly, even dogmatically, the nature of the impact of social and economic change on population growth, particularly in the undeveloped regions of dense settlement. In addition, some of the things that need to be done at the international level in the field of population studies will be suggested. The common element in the demographic situation of undeveloped areas is the capacity of the population for rapid growth, given political stability and economic expansion. Some of the areas are sparsely settled, some are among the world's most densely populated regions; some have recently had declining numbers, others are growing slowly, and still others at a very rapid pace. In matters of density and current rates of growth there is no uniformity. The common characteristic is that, in virtually all, more stable government and economic development would produce a rapid and somewhat prolonged population increase. There is no mystery about the rapid population growth that accompanies modernization in undeveloped areas. The process has been observed many times and the general principles are well understood. Societies with low levels of technical skill are