What does the Malthusian theory hypothesize?

The Malthusian theory posits that population growth will inevitably outstrip food production, leading to inevitable consequences such as famine, disease, and war. This theory, proposed by Thomas Robert Malthus in the late 18th century, suggests that while food production can increase arithmetically (i.e., in a linear fashion), population growth tends to increase geometrically (i.e., exponentially). According to Malthus, if unchecked, this imbalance would result in a situation where there are not enough resources to sustain the growing population, ultimately causing significant hardship and societal challenges. This premise highlights concerns regarding sustainability and resource management in relation to human population dynamics. Understanding this theory provides insight into historical and contemporary issues concerning population growth and resource allocation.