Which of the following directly contributes to a rising population?

The option identifying higher birth rates and improved medical care as direct contributors to a rising population is accurate because both factors substantially influence population growth.

Higher birth rates lead to more individuals being born, directly increasing the population size. Societies experiencing higher birth rates typically have cultural or economic reasons that encourage larger families, reflecting a demographic trend often seen in developing countries.

Improved medical care further contributes by significantly reducing infant mortality and increasing life expectancy. With access to better healthcare services, people live longer and healthier lives, translating into a greater number of individuals in the population over time. Advances in medical technology and healthcare accessibility ensure that many diseases that once lowered life expectancy no longer have the same impact, resulting in a sustained population increase.

In contrast, the other choices, while relevant to broader social dynamics, do not have the same direct impact on rising population figures. Increased access to education can lead to lower birth rates, as individuals, particularly women, may choose to delay childbirth for educational or career opportunities. Strict immigration laws serve to limit population growth by controlling the number of individuals who can enter a country. Increased availability of resources can support a larger population but does not itself directly lead to an increase in population numbers. Instead, it enables the existing population to thrive