POPULATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: EVIDENCE FROM NIGERIA

The study focuses on population on economic development in Nigeria. The data were analysed using ordinary least square (OLS) and econometrics of unit root, cointegration and error correction model. The finding revealed that the influence of population and fertility have negative and positive in short and long run, and also not having significant relationship with economic development while the mortality has negative relationship in short and long run and insignificant. Based on the findings, the study concludes that population growth has significant positive and significant impact on economic development in Nigeria. The study recommends that Nigeria government should control its rapidly growing population by formulating and implementing population and economic policies that are supportive of societal welfare; also, ensure that it reduces mortality rate by taking healthcare system in the country seriously, noting that only a healthy labour force can contribute meaningfully towards output expansion.