The Determinants of Population Growth in Nigeria: A Co-Integration Approach

Abstract

Introduction: The impact of population growth on the standard of living is a major concern in most developing countries, including Nigeria. Nigeria's unprecedented growth rate and current hidden population momentum are no longer issues of common concern. Any conscious efforts to militate against rapid population growth will improve the standard of living of the people and-this can only happen if the factors influencing population growth are known, leading-to-effective-regulation-of-population-growth. In addition, to evaluate the impact of the population policy, promoting access to reproductive health services and to bring the problems of population to the Nigerian populace require thorough knowledge of forces influencing population growth. Objectives: It is against this backdrop that this study examined the factors influencing population growth in Nigeria. Materials and Method: The study made use of secondary data and variables such as population growth rate, GDP per capita, infant mortality rate, maternal mortality rate, human development index, proportion-of-labor-force-employed sourced from the World Development Indicators (WDI) and Human Development Report (HDR). The study employed the Johansen Co-integration econometric technique to analyze the model specified. Results: Based on the analysis of the data, the study found out that infant mortality and maternal mortality rates have long run relationship the factors which influence Nigeria's population growth. Conclusion and Recommendations: The study recommends extensive population education and improvement on the quality and living standards of the citizens among others.