Population growth refers to increase in the total number of organisms occupying a certain area.

The various methods to discourage population growth are : 

(a) Education : People particularly those in reproductive age group, should be educated about the advantage of a small family, and the consequent benefits to the nation. People should be educated about the affects of overpopulation by the Government agencies mass media such as radio, television, newspaper, magazines, posters and educational institution can play an important role in this campaign. It will certainly help check population growth.

(b) Marriageable age : Raising the age of marriage will decrease reproductive span, can help in reducing population growth. At present, the marriageable age is 18 years for females and 21 years for males. Social change and the increasing aspiration for education and career in women, encourage them to delay marriage and postpone reproduction.

Family planning : The family planning includes many birth control measures. 

Following family planning methods should be adopted :

• Use of oral contraceptive pills by women. 

• Use of vaginal diaphragms. 

• Use of intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUCD) like copper-T and loop. 

• Surgical techniques of birth control like tubectomy in females and vasectomy in males. 

• Medical termination of pregnancy. 

• Natural family planning by having intercourse only during safe period or withdrawing penis before ejaculation.