Question

Explain how social and economic factors contribute to increases or decreases in the vulnerability of a population.

Answer 1

In a layman language, vulnerability of a population refers to that part of the population which are unable to cope with many differences like economic disadvantages, population density levels, bad infrastructure, having low income, homeless, refugees, weak family structures, etc. In other words, it is the inability of people to withstand the unfriendly environment. The concept of vulnerability varies from community to community. There are many factors that contribute to increases or decreases in the vulnerability of a population. These are mentioned as follows-

1. Physical factors
2. Social factors
3. Economic Factors

Explanation of social and economic factors contribute to increases or decreases in the vulnerability of a population-

1. Social factors- In the context of vulnerability of a population, it refers to the inability of the people to withstand the impacts caused by the various shocks that are found nearby. In this the level of vulnerability is highly dependent of some of the social factors like literacy, poverty, social status, beliefs, customs, psychology basis and discrimination on the basis of religion and gender. It is associated with the well being of people and societies. Therefore, this is how these factors contribute in the decreases or increases in the vulnerability of a population.

2. Economic factors- Economic factors increases in the vulnerability of a population because economic constraints people to live in those areas which are unsafe. Economic constraints includes population size, low income of the people, less availability to natural resources for livelihood, dependence upon small scale industries, homelessness because of various disasters and marginalization. So, these were the imperative economic factors that contribute in the increases or decreases in the vulnerability of a population.