In his Essay on Population (1798) Thomas Robert Malthus’s (1766-1834) explained his theory of population growth. He argued that human populations tend to grow at a much faster rate than the rate at which the means of human subsistence can grow such as food, clothing, and other agriculture-based products. According to him, agricultural production grows only in a progression of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 etc. while population can grow in a progression of 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 etc. In such context, he argued for the need for preventing population growth. However, there are incidents in history that reject his way of seeing the growth of the population and its relation to resources. There are counter theories too which refute his observation and prove his theory as false.

Which one is TRUE with respect to Marxian critique of Malthus's theory of population?

Poverty was caused by the unequal distribution of economic resources rather than by population growth.

Malthus was also criticised by liberal and Marxist scholars for asserting that poverty was caused by population growth. The critics argued that problems like poverty and starvation were caused by the unequal distribution of economic resources rather than by population growth. An unjust social system allowed a wealthy and privileged minority to live in luxury while the vast majority of the people were forced to live in poverty.

Food production and standard of living increased despite growth in the population: this is not a Marx Critique but is in reference to the criticism provided by Historical Experience of Europe.