Published Paper Details:

This study investigates the impact of population growth on economic growth of Tanzania using granger causality and cointegration. Time series data for the period of 1991 to 2019 were used to validate the findings on granger causality and cointegration. Data were obtained from the World Bank, and were processed using Stata software. Vector error correction model was applied to examine the long run and short run causality. The study is of interest that population in Tanzania has been rising steadily, however the same could not be asserted on economic growth as the economy maintained a cyclical growth, therefore making pronouncements that economic growth prospects in Tanzania is a result of its growing population has been a challenge. The study reveals that there is cointegration between population growth, inflation and economic growth. Moreover, in the short run and long run population growth and inflation has causality impact on economic growth. Based on the findings the study recommends that the government should encourage population growth with caution. They have to make sure that the population is well educated to equip them with capability to engage into economic activities through consumption, investment, employment opportunities and exploitation of resources wisely. Furthermore, the government should carefully design a population growth strategy combined with institutional and policy changes to ensure population growth becomes beneficial to the country. On top of that, the government should also ensure that the economy is growing at a higher rate than the growth of population. This will ensure that the increased demand for goods and services generated by population growth is met.