In 1950 the world population was 2.5 billion; fifty years later there are over 6 billion people. The demographic of this explosion has essentially occurred in the developing areas of the world. The key to understanding many contemporary development problems that have arisen from this rapid growth is in understanding the relationships between population and the economy. This book offers an analysis of such relationships, encompassing a review of the major positions in the academic debate. Population, Economic Growth and Agriculture in Less Developed Countries will serve as a useful introduction and reference tool for students, academics and all with an interest in the population debate and economics.

Aims to focus attention on the complex and inter-related problems - social, economic, political, and geographical - that come with development, placing particular emphasis on the problems which accompany attempts at industrialization.