Lesson Plan

• Describe key development indicators and their relationship to population pressures.
• Explain the theoretical foundations of optimum population (Malthusian, DTM, Solow) and the factors that determine it.
• Analyse how resource endowment, technology, human capital and institutional quality influence the optimum population.
• Evaluate policy options that can shift an economy toward its optimum population.

• Projector and screen
• PowerPoint slides with tables and diagrams
• Printed handout of development indicators and formula sheet
• Whiteboard and markers
• Calculators
• Worksheet for case‑study calculations
• Short video clip on population sustainability (optional)

Begin with a quick poll: “What do you think is the ideal population size for our country?” Connect responses to the development indicators studied last week. Explain that today’s success criteria are to define optimum population, identify its determinants, and apply the concept to real‑world policy.

1. Starter (5') – poll results displayed; brief discussion of guesses.
2. Recap of development indicators (10') – teacher review of GDP per‑capita, HDI, etc., using slides.
3. Theoretical mini‑lecture (15') – outline Malthusian theory, Demographic Transition Model and Solow model link to optimum population.
4. Group activity (15') – students work with a case‑study dataset to calculate a simplified optimum population using the formula N* = K/(a + b·ln(GDP per capita)).
5. Class debrief (10') – groups present results; discuss how resources, technology and institutions affect the outcome.
6. Policy brainstorm (10') – whole‑class generation of policy measures to move toward the optimum.
7. Check for understanding (5') – exit‑ticket question on one factor that can shift the optimum population upward.

Summarise the link between development level, determinants of optimum population and policy choices. Students complete an exit ticket stating a single factor that would raise a country’s optimum population. For homework, each student selects a country, researches its current population versus an estimated optimum, and writes a brief commentary.