Population and the environment

Rapid population growth, low agricultural production and destruction of the environment are practices common to most of the sub-Saharan African countries. As people tend to live in crowded situations on small pieces of land, there has been an increase in demand for agricultural and grazing land, as well as woodland for fuel and construction, so that extensive and rapid deforestation and soil erosion has occurred. This situation in turn facilitates drought and hunger.

As a result of uncontrolled population growth, population density has increased rapidly over the last 30‒40 years. This implies that the population will be forced to live in overcrowded areas with small pieces of land to cultivate and, as a result, will eventually end up in extreme poverty and even hunger.