A country that is over-populated will face the problem of

1. Analyze the question The question asks about the problem a country faces when it is over-populated. That means the population is too large compared to the available resources, capital and jobs.

2. Explain the concept Overpopulation occurs when the number of people is greater than what the country's resources can support at a good standard of living. The main effects are:

• Pressure on land, housing, schools and hospitals
• Unemployment and underemployment
• Low savings and low investment
• A fall in output per person, which means low per capita income

Per capita income = National Income ÷ Population. When the population grows faster than national income, the denominator becomes too large and the result falls.

3. Evaluate each option

• A. Low birth rate: Wrong. Overpopulation is usually linked to a high birth rate and does not result in a low one.
• B. Low per capita income: Correct. Too many people share limited output, so the average income per person falls.
• C. High wage rate: Wrong. When labour is plentiful, the supply of labour exceeds demand and wages tend to be low, not high.
• D. Full employment: Wrong. Overpopulation typically leads to unemployment because there are not enough jobs for everyone.

4. Answer The correct option is B. Low per capita income.

5. Exam tip Remember the link: Over-population → too many people, too few resources → Low per capita income, unemployment and a lower standard of living. In JAMB Economics, if you see "over-populated", think of negative outcomes such as low income, unemployment and poverty. Eliminate options that sound like benefits, such as "high wages" and "full employment".