What is overpopulation?

Overpopulation refers to a situation where the number of people exceeds the resources available for sustainability. This means that the population surpasses the capacity of the environment to support it effectively, resulting in challenges such as resource depletion, environmental degradation, and decreased quality of life. When a population grows too large relative to the available resources—such as food, water, and living space—issues like malnutrition, overconsumption, and increased competition for limited resources can arise.

The other options do not accurately define overpopulation. An optimal population size suggests a balance between people and resources, which is not the case in overpopulation. Declining birth rates indicate a decrease in population growth, which contrasts with the notion of overpopulation. Lastly, while urban density can be a consequence of overpopulation, it does not fully capture the concept, as overpopulation can also occur in rural areas where resources are lacking.