Population and society : preliminary report for sustainability indicators

Abstract

Population and its direct implications on Society and the Social Fabric incorporate one of the fundamental issues that impinge any sustainable development issue. It is seen as the basis for any sustainability study in human inten"ention both through its direct and indirect impacts. United Nations' Agenda 21 identifies population growth as one of the crucial elements affecting long-term sustainability. Population and its physical distribution has been seen by such initiatives (UN. DEeD alld Blue Plan), as the main capital element comprising resource take-up. In fact. it is seen as the dynamic factor affecting any type of environmental pressure due to its inherent nature. being the immediate provision of basic needs to support itself. Populations are in themselves living entities and their survival depends on the availability of immediate resources and sustaining those same resources. Demographic change is synonymous with its impact on a country's capacity on a wide range of economic, social, cultural and environmental issues. Its fluchmtions are dependalll on a number of variables such as fertility and mortality rates, attractiveness for migrants, and other related issues such as health. Other issues having a direct change on the demographic stats of a country include family size, perceptions on contraception. movements towards individualistic norms, such as single person households. amongst others.