Data were gathered from 400 respondents who were adult residents of Makurdi town, including employed and unemployed individuals, business owners, students, and civil servants, selected to represent various socioeconomic backgrounds. The study employed a survey research design, with participants selected through stratified, systematic, and simple random sampling methods. A self-designed questionnaire facilitated data collection, and the responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

The findings revealed that increasing population pressures lead to rising poverty levels, higher unemployment, and strained public services. These challenges result in poor living conditions, economic instability, and infrastructure deficits. The results support the Malthusian Theory of Population Growth, which posits that unchecked population growth outstrips resource availability, thereby worsening socioeconomic issues.

This research concludes that the rapid population growth in Makurdi town is a key factor contributing to rising poverty levels, growing unemployment, and mounting pressure on public amenities. In light of these findings, the study suggests implementing poverty alleviation programs, job creation initiatives, and expanding public services to reduce the adverse effects of population growth in Makurdi.

Effective urban planning, investment in human capital, and infrastructure development are crucial for achieving sustainable socioeconomic progress in the town. This study contributes to the existing knowledge on urban population dynamics and provides a foundation for policy development and urban planning strategies in Nigeria.