Malthus's theory of population held that population grows exponentially while food production grows arithmetically, inevitably leading to famine unless checks on population growth occur. The theory was proposed by Thomas Malthus in 1798 based on observations of population growth in Western Europe. Malthus believed population would double every 25 years due to human desire for sex and prosperity, while food production could only increase incrementally through agriculture. This would cause periodic famines, wars, or disease that act as "positive checks" on population growth, or preventive methods like later marriages could act as "preventive checks". The theory was an early attempt to link population growth and economic and social factors but faced criticism for assumptions about constant growth rates and

1. THEORIES OF POPULATION
GROWTH-
MALTHUS’S THEORY
PREETI DEVI
M.A. (Silver Medalist)
NET, NFSC
Govt. College for Girls Sector-14, Gurugram

2. About Malthusian Theory
The Malthusian Theory of Population is the theory of
exponential population and arithmetic food supply
growth.
The theory was proposed by Thomas Robert Malthus.
First Systematically Authorized Population Theory.
 first to appreciate the close relationship between
population growth and other demographic, socio-
economic changes.

3. Brief Introduction of Thomas Robert Malthus
Time period of Malthus- 1766 to 1834.
British Professor of History and Economics.
His motive was humanitarian.
He used Empirical Approach.
Principle of Population based on the experience of West
European countries.
First Publication- Essay on Population as it affects the Future
Improvement of Society (1798).
Second Publication- An Essay on the Principle of Population
(1803).

4. Contemporary Circumstances at the Time of MalthusTheory
Political Geography derived in 1766.
Remarkable Publications, e.g.- Smith’s first theory
already published (Theory of Moral Sentiments-1759)
and second in the process of publication in that time
period (Wealth of Nation).
Crisis in England – unemployment, food production
and social crisis.
Thoughts of William Godwin (friend of Thomus
Danial Malthus).

5. Assumptions
Desire for sex is stable.
Prosperity as direct relationship with the population
growth.
Agriculture is subject to diminishing martinets output
or means of subsistence.

6. Malthusian Theory of Population
Population Growth
(Geometrical Progression)
i.e. – 2,4,8,16…
Food Production
(Arithmetical Progression)
i.e.- 1,2,3,4…..
Disequilibrium between population and Food Supply
Positive Checks or Natural
Checks (e.g. Earthquakes,
wars, Famine, Floods etc.
Preventive Measures (e.g. Late
marriages, self restraint,
Family planning methods etc.)
Result
How to correct

8. Ratios between Population and Sustenance
• The population and sustenance would be in the
ratio of 256 to 9.
• In three centuries 4,096 to 13.
• In two thousand years the difference would be
almost uncountable.
• Population doubles after every twenty-five
years.

9. Implications:
I. Positive Checks - Earthquakes, wars, Famine,
Floods, poverty especially lack of food etc.
II. Preventive Checks - Late marriages, self
restraint, Family planning methods etc.

10. Critical Reviews:
• Sexual desire – sexual desire is a biological instinct whereas the
desire to have children is a social instinct.
• Validity of his two sets of ratios.
• Time span of 25 years assumed by Malthus to allow population
to double itself, also does not seem to be anywhere near reality.
• Thinking about unnatural checks – Malthus could not think to
use contraceptives as an effective preventive check.
• Ignorance the role of changing advanced technology & socio-
economic set up of a society.
• Ignorance of migration status.
• Limited data base.

11. Conclusion
Malthus was probably the first to appreciate the close
relationship between population growth and other demographic
changes & social changes.
It was Malthus who initiated theory building in population
geography and demography
His work is pioneer and has great social relevance.
Malthusian ideas are often supported by Western governments
because it highlights the problem of too many mouths to feed,
rather than the uneven distribution of resources.

12. Reference:
 Population Geography by “Majid Husain”.
 Population Geography by “Dr. S.D. Maurya”.
 https://www.economicsdiscussion.net/articles/malthusian-
theory-of-population-explained-with-its-criticism/1521
 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malthusianism

13. •Thank you