8.1 - Human Population Dynamics Flashcards
Why are demographic tools essential
Demographic tools are essential for understanding and quantifying human population dynamics
What do demographic tools provide
They provide valuable insights into birth and death rates, fertility patterns, population growth rates, and other demographic indicators
What are 5 demographic tools
- Crude birth rate
- Crude death rate
- Total fertility rate
- Doubling time
- Natural increase rate
What is crude birth rate
The CBR is the number of live births per 1 000 individuals in a population during a specific time period
How do you calculate crude birth rate
CBR = total number of live births per year/ total population x 1000
What is crude death rate
The CDR is the number of deaths per 1 000 individuals in a population during a specific time period
How do you calculate CDR
Total number of deaths per year/ total population x 1000
What is total fertility rate
The TFR is an estimate of the average number of children a woman would have during her reproductive years if she experienced the current age-specific fertility rates throughout her lifetime
How do you calculate total fertility rates
It is calculated by summing the age-specific fertility rates (ASFR) and multiplying the result by five
TFR=Σ(ASFR)x 5
What is doubling time
The DT is the time it takes for a population to double in size based on its current growth rate
How do you calculate doubling time
It is calculated using the rule of 70, where the number 70 is divided by the population growth rate
= 70/growth rate (%)
What is natural increase rate
The NIR is the rate at which a population grows or declines due to the difference between the crude birth rate and the crude death rate
How do you calculate natural increase rate
It is calculated by subtracting the CDR from the CBR and then dividing the result by 10
= CBR-CDR/10
What do the demographic tools assist
They assist policymakers, researchers, and demographers in understanding population dynamics, projecting future growth, and formulating effective strategies for social and economic development
How has population growth changed over time
There has been exponential growth in the global human population since the mid 18th century
-The global human population reached 8 billion in November 2022
How is the population predicted to change over time
Despite the growth rate falling, the world population is projected to continue to grow until approximately 2100 when it could reach more than 11 billion
What alters population growth
Countries which went through the Industrial Revolution meaning they experienced rapid growth. However those countries today have had there growth rates fall some to such a rate where they have declined such as japan
Where do the fastest population growths occur
- developing countries
How has a growing population affected natural resources
As the human population grows, there is an increased demand for natural resources such as food, water, and energy, putting stress on ecosystems and depleting these resources
How has growing population affected infastructure
The expansion of urban areas and infrastructure to accommodate the growing population leads to habitat destruction and fragmentation, affecting biodiversity and ecosystem functioning
How has increased population affected consumption patterns
Increased consumption patterns and production of goods result in higher levels of waste generation and pollution, further straining environmental systems and contributing to climate change
How has a growing population affected population density
Growing population density in certain regions leads to increased pressure on land and can lead to issues such as deforestation, soil degradation, and loss of agricultural productivity
How has the growth in population affected water consumption
The demand for freshwater increases with population growth, leading to overexploitation of water sources, depletion of aquifers, and potential water scarcity in some regions
How has growing population affected human activities
The increase in human activities, such as industrialisation and transportation, contributes to air and water pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and overall environmental degradation
How has the need for housing from a growing population affected the enviroment
The need for more housing, infrastructure, and agricultural land often leads to encroachment on natural habitats, resulting in the displacement and extinction of wildlife species
What are the affects of the cumulative impact of human population growth
The cumulative impact of human population growth on Earth’s systems has implications for the long-term sustainability of resources, the resilience of ecosystems, and the overall health and well-being of both humans and the planet
What are age and gender pyramids used for
Age–gender pyramids and demographic transition models (DTM) can be useful in the prediction of human population growth
What is the demographic transition model
The DTM is a model that shows how a population transitions from a pre-industrial stage with high crude birth rates and high crude death rates to an economically advanced stage with low or declining crude birth rates and low crude death rates
How many stages is there in the DTM and what do they show
The demographic transition model illustrates five generalised stages that countries pass through as they develop
It shows how the birth and death rates change and how this affects the overall population as the country
What is stage 1 of the DTM
- The total population is low
- High birth rates due to lack of contraception/family planning
- High death rates due to poor healthcare, poor diet and famine
- High infant mortality which leads people to have more children so that some children survive to adulthood
What is stage 2 of the DTM
- The total population starts to rise rapidly
- Birth rates remain high as people continue to have large families
- Death rates decrease as a result of improved diets, better healthcare, lower infant mortality and increased access to clean water
What is stage 3 of the DTM
- The total population continues to increase but the rate of growth begins to slow
- Birth rate begins to fall rapidly due to increased birth control, family planning, increased cost of raising children and low infant mortality rate
- Death rate still decreasing but at a slower rate as improvements in medicine, hygiene, diet and water quality continue
What is stage 4 of the DTM
- The total population is high and is increasing slowly
- Birth rate is low and fluctuating due to accessible birth control and the choice of having fewer children as well as delaying the age women start to have children
- Death rate is low and fluctuating
What is stage 5 of the DTM
- The total population starts to slowly decline as the death rate exceeds the birth rate
- Birth rate is low and slowly decreasing
- Death rate is low and fluctuating
What is a population pyramid
A population pyramid (also known as an age–gender pyramid) is a graphical representation of a population’s age and gender structure
What does a population pyramid display
It displays the percentage or number of individuals in each age group and gender within a given population, typically a country or region
How is a population pyramid represented
The population pyramid is usually represented as a horizontal bar graph, with the age groups displayed along the vertical axis, and the percentage or number of individuals in each age group displayed along the horizontal axis
The left side of the graph displays the male population, while the right side shows the female population
What does the shape of a population pyramid show
The shape of the population pyramid can provide insights into the demographic characteristics of a population
- For instance, a pyramid with a broad base and a narrow top indicates a young population with high fertility rates and low life expectancy, while a pyramid with a narrow base and a broad top indicates an aging population with low fertility rates and high life expectancy
What does a pyramid with a broad base and a narrow top indicate
a pyramid with a broad base and a narrow top indicates a young population with high fertility rates and low life expectancy
What does a pyramid with a narrow base and a broad top indicate
while a pyramid with a narrow base and a broad top indicates an aging population with low fertility rates and high life expectancy
What are population pyramids a used for
Population pyramids are widely used by demographers, economists, and policymakers to understand population trends, forecast future population growth, and plan for social and economic policies
What changes within a country alter the shape of its pyramids
As countries develop and pass through the stages of demographic transition the shape of the population pyramid changes
What can population pyramids be used to identify
Young dependents
Old dependents
Economically active (working population)
Dependency ratio
What does the pyramid for Niger look like
LEDCs like Niger typically have a concave pyramid shape
At the start of stage 2 of the demographic transition model
This indicates:
- High birth rate
- Low life expectancy
- High death rate but starting to decrease
- High infant mortality rate
- Young dependent population dominates
What does a LEDCs population pyramid look like
LEDCs/NICs (newly industrialised countries) that are a little further along the demographic transition, such as Nepal, typically have a pyramid shape
Stage 3 of the demographic transition model
This indicates:
- Decreasing birth rate
- Increasing life expectancy
- Decreasing death rate
- Decreasing infant mortality
- Larger working age population
What does the population pyramid for a HIC look like
HICs (high income countries) such as the USA typically have a column shape
Stage 4 of the demographic transition model
This indicates:
- Decreasing birth rate
- Increasing life expectancy
- Decreasing death rate
- Low infant mortality
- Larger working age population
What does a pyramid in stage 5 of the transition model look like
HICs such as Japan then start to develop a pentagon shape with a narrowing base
Stage 5 of the demographic transition model
This indicates:
- Decreasing birth rate
- Increasing life expectancy
- Death rate is higher than the birth rate due to the. - ageing population
- Low infant mortality
- Ageing population - older dependent population
What are the issues a population pyramid can identify
- aging population
- falling birth rates
- impacts of migration
What are the implication for a country of a ageing population
- Increased number of pension payments
- Increased need for care homes
- Increased pressure on the healthcare service and social care
What are the implicationss of a falling birth rate
- School closures due to fewer children
- Future workforce shortages
What can rapid growth in some areas due to migration lead to
Increased pressure on services such as healthcare and schools
A shortage of housing
Increased traffic congestion
Increased water and air pollution
Shortage of food
Lack of clean water
What are the 4 key areas you need to look for when interpreting a population pyramid
Younger population - is the birth rate high or low?
Working population - are there enough people of working age to support the young and old dependents?
Elderly population - is it large or small? (if it is large, then life expectancy is high)
Male/female split - are there any noticeable differences between the numbers of males and females?
What are 6 factors with affect population dynamics
- cultural - pronatalist, large family’s
- historical - growth after Industrial Revolution
- religious - no contraceptive(Catholicism), islam = big fam
- social - women ed, emplyment, social pressures
- political - one child policy, government sub sides
- economic - high levels of poverty
What controls population dynamics
National and international development policies
How does education policies influence populations
- Access to quality education, particularly for girls and women, is associated with lower fertility rates and improved reproductive health practices
- Education empowers individuals with knowledge about family planning, reproductive health, and the benefits of smaller family sizes
- Education also enhances opportunities for employment, leading to delayed marriages and childbearing
How does healthcare policy’s control human populations
- Effective healthcare policies, including access to reproductive healthcare services, family planning, and maternal healthcare, contribute to better health outcomes for vulnerable age groups (very young and very old) and reduced fertility rates
- Adequate healthcare infrastructure and services, including access to contraceptives and prenatal care, can help individuals make informed decisions regarding family size
How do economic policies affect population dynamics
- Economic development policies aimed at poverty reduction and promoting sustainable livelihoods can have indirect impacts on population dynamics
- Reductions in poverty levels are often associated with lower fertility rates, as individuals have better access to education, healthcare, and family planning services
- Economic policies that encourage job creation and income equality can influence population growth by improving living standards and reducing the need for large family sizes
How does social welfare policies affect human populations
- Social welfare programs, such as childcare support, parental leave, and elderly care, can have indirect effects on population dynamics
- These policies can alleviate the burden of child-rearing and support individuals in making choices regarding family size and timing
