What does population growth indicate?

Population growth specifically refers to the change in the number of people living in a defined area over a certain period of time. This measurement can encompass a variety of factors including births, deaths, and migration patterns. When examining population growth, researchers look at how these factors influence the overall number of inhabitants in a specified region, which can provide insights into trends affecting urbanization, infrastructure needs, and resource allocation.

While the other options focus on related concepts—natural resources, income levels, and educational attainment—they do not directly define what population growth indicates. Population growth is a fundamental statistic that reflects demographic changes, which are essential for understanding social dynamics and planning for the future in areas such as healthcare, housing, and employment.