What primarily causes human population growth?

Human population growth is primarily driven by improvements in hygiene and increases in food production. These two factors have significantly enhanced life expectancy and reduced mortality rates, particularly infant mortality.

As sanitation practices improve, the spread of disease is minimized, allowing more individuals to live longer and healthier lives. Simultaneously, advancements in agricultural technology, such as the use of fertilizers, the development of high-yield crops, and improved irrigation techniques, have led to a substantial increase in food availability. When people have access to sufficient and nutritious food, they are better able to lead healthy lives.

These improvements have historically resulted in population booms, as families need not endure the same level of hardship and loss that previously led to higher mortality rates. Consequently, the combination of better hygiene and increased food production directly correlates with rising human populations.

In contrast, while advancements in technology can contribute to several aspects of society, they are often secondary to the direct impact of hygiene and food supply on population dynamics. Increased migration to urban areas doesn't inherently cause population growth but rather redistributes the existing population. A decrease in birth rates typically denotes a declining population growth or stabilization, contradicting the premise of the question. Thus, improvements in hygiene and food production stand out as the main