A few questions

[Tomgs]

Population does affect how fast ships are built also along with population happiness and the level of the Space yard on the planet. If you want to see what your build rate is it is displayed on the construction screen close to the top. Thats the screen you set the build order. Right under the picture of the planet it shows how many minerals worth can be constructed there in one turn.

Also on a side note if you right click on the planets picture there you get the planet display so you can check what cargo you have or the bonuses and the mineral Ratings to help you decide what facilities to build without leaving that screen.