POPULATION DYNAMICS AND ECONOMIC GROWTH IN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the relationship between population dynamics and economic growth in Nigeria. In addition, the study tried to identify the determinants of population growth as well as testing for causality between population and economic growth in Nigeria. Using annual time series data spanning from 1970 to 2013, the researcher employed multiple regression model for the first and second objective of the study while granger causality test was used to capture the third objectives. The researcher found that all the core variables of the study are inversely related to economic growth during the investigated period. The study further revealed that fertility, mortality, net-migration, per capita income and savings are strong drivers of population growth in Nigeria while there was no visible evidence of causality between economic and population growth. Sequel to the findings, the Nigerian government is expected to make direct efforts toward checking fertility rate in Nigeria. Also efforts should be made to improve the quality of Nigerian labour force through investment in education and skills acquisition programmes so as to improve productivity in Nigeria.