Population Growth

Abstract

Population growth is a fundamental measure in demography and population geography. It describes population increase over a specified period, although the term is sometimes used synonymously with population change such that population growth can be described as negative as well as positive. Population growth can be measured in absolute terms (numbers) or in the form of a growth rate. The advantage of a rate is that it standardizes for population size, allowing comparisons to be made over time and space. Population growth has many important uses in demographic topics such as urbanization, population aging, and the demographic transition, as well as a myriad of implications for households, loca..