Rapid rural population growth and its determinant factors in Wolaita zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

Rapid population growth is one of critical problems for most of Sub-Sahara African economic development. As a result of this, imbalances between population number and existing resource were intensified in developing countries including Ethiopia. Most of empirical studies show that rapid population growth was determined by different biological, social, economic and institutional factors. This study aimed to assess rapid rural population growth and its determinant factors in Wolaita zone. Relevant data were collected both from primary and secondary sources. Diverse types of data including demographic, socio-economic and policy-related data were obtained from 300 randomly selected rural households. Data were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Wolaita is characterized by a high population density and a fast population growth rate above 3%. Population growth was indeed higher than annual national growth rate. The average household size in the study area was about 6.7 members per household. Age at first marriage, educational level, daily income and livelihood security of household heads, and contraceptive practice are consistently significant and principal factors of large household size. The population theory aspect of Malthusian, Utility Cost Theory and Mediating Theory principles mostly aligned with the study area realities. Therefore, this study points out that managing rapid population growth by implementing a strict population policy/ strategy in the study area is important.