surplus population
[ˈsɜrpləs ˌpɑpjəˈleɪʃən]
nounpl: surplus populations
população excedente
1. The portion of a population that exceeds the carrying capacity or economic needs of a region or country; people considered economically redundant or unnecessary by a society or economic system
Marx argued that industrial capitalism created a surplus population of unemployed workers to keep wages low.
Marx argumentou que o capitalismo industrial criou uma população excedente de trabalhadores desempregados para manter os salários baixos.
2. In historical and sociological contexts, individuals or groups deemed expendable or whose labor is no longer required by the dominant economic system
The automation of factories led to concerns about a growing surplus population unable to find work.
A automação das fábricas gerou preocupações sobre uma população excedente crescente incapaz de encontrar trabalho.
This term is primarily used in academic, Marxist, and sociological discourse. It gained prominence through Karl Marx's analysis of capitalism and the industrial economy. In Brazil and Portugal, the concept is frequently discussed in university economics and sociology courses, particularly regarding labor dynamics, unemployment, and social inequality. The term carries critical connotations and is typically used in leftist or progressive political discourse to critique capitalist economic systems.
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