I WAS VERY interested in a comment recently made by Mr Clyde Mascoll in the media that Barbados needed a larger population. I believe that his statement does not address a complex set of issues relating to population growth. Remember that our country is already one of the most densely populated countries in the world. Mascoll's statement is close to the neoliberal view in economics that a larger population encourages economies of scale as well as a larger market, and therefore enhances economic growth. Some larger countries have experienced this phenomenon. However, this approach does not address the population problem in small developing countries. There are two conceptual questions in addressing the issue of population growth. The first is what is the "optimum population" of a country? The second is what is the "carrying capacity" of a country? "Optimum population" is usually defined as the level of population at which a country's resources are sufficient to ensure growth that satisfies that country's population needs. This closed-economy concept is not very useful because in an open economy like Barbados, resource needs can be satisfied by the imports of technology, as well as consumption and capital goods. "Carrying capacity" is a more useful concept because it implies the notion of sustainable development. Carrying capacity is defined as the extent to which the nation's stock of natural capital (for example land), human and man-made capital (for example machines), can sustain a certain population size without significantly damaging the ecological environment. In this context it is interesting to note that international trade can raise a country's carrying capacity, but certain types of trade can also damage the environment. Environmental damage can take place by the harvesting and export of natural resources. Research by the World Bank has shown that rapid population growth has negative implications for carrying capacity and economic development. Having too large a population can increase poverty and inequality, as well as raise the costs of housing, education and health care. Larger lower-income families can also experience depressed levels of nutrition, especially if they live in over-crowded homes and cannot afford nutritionally, balanced meals. Concentration of population in urban and suburban areas leads to overcrowding, sanitation problems, traffic congestion and environmental damage. Overcrowding is also a feature of immigration in many countries. In Barbados, natural population growth as well as immigration have increased the demand for, and price of housing. The demand for National Housing Corporation units largely outstrips the supply. Squatter settlements arise in rural areas. Barbados was spared this development in the past. Finally, rapid population growth compromises the carrying capacity of a small country in terms of water and energy usage, and raises the cost of providing these services. Barbados is a water-scarce country, and our essential tourism plant places a heavy burden on our carrying capacity for water. Do we still need this larger population Mascoll in talking about? The clear answer is no. Mascoll should rethink his statement. - MICHAEL HOWARD
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