Chapter 4- Population matters for sustainable development

Question 1

Population dynamics report- the two overarching messages

Answer 1

1. Demography matters for sustainable development: Population dynamics affect the principle challenges that the world is confronting in the 21st century and therefore must be addressed in the post-2015 development agenda.
2. Demography is not destiny: Population dynamics can be addressed through concrete policies and measures that are outlined in the ICPD Programme of Action and focus on promoting human rights and gender equality.

Question 2

Why is population growth not a separate SDG?

Answer 2

• because it is linked to all the other SDGs
• population growth has an impact on all the SDGs AND the SDGs have an impact on population growth

Question 3

Population dynamics formula

Answer 3

I = P x A x T

Impact = Population x Affluence x Technology

(A way of calculating the impact of humans on the environment)

• Population (increasing)
• Affluence (increasing)
• Technology→ looking at the energy efficiency (fossil fuels vs electric etc)

Question 4

Positive sides of population growth

Answer 4

• a graying population (old population) → problem for the economy, they are expensive
• increased concentration of people in working age
• migration as enable for social and economic development
• urbanization can be positive for sustainable development (less transportation, more efficient housing

Question 5

Criticism of the IPAT equation

Answer 5

• being too simplistic when assuming that P, A and T are independent of each other
• neglect beneficial human impacts
• neglect of political and social context

Question 6

The demographic transition theory

Answer 6

→ more developed countries have a decrease birth rate as families don´t want and “need” as many children anymore

• mortality and fertility rates decline with industrialization, however mortality a lot faster than mortality (took time to “trust” the decrease in mortality)
• mortality rates dropped after 1750- industrial revolution
• children redefined from assets to liabilities → fertility rates continue to drop in developed countries

Question 7

Demographic transition model- STAGE1

Answer 7

• High birth rate
• High death rate
• Stable or slow natural increase
• Population pyramid: Broad at the base and narrower towards the top
• The poorest countries are in this stage

Question 8

Demographic transition model- stage 2

Answer 8

• High birthrate
• Rapidly falling death rate
• Better hygiene, healthcare
• Natural increase: Rapid increase
• Triangle population pyramid
• Rapid growth in population

Europe after WW2

Question 9

Demographic transition model- stage 3

Answer 9

• mortality low and birthrates fall
• population growth begins to decline
• children are less economically valuable
• women are empowered socially

Question 10

Demographic transition model- stage 4

Answer 10

• Low mortality and low birth rates
• rapid population growth comes to an end
• box shaped population pyramid

Question 11

Demographic transition model- stage 5

Answer 11

• mortality low and some evidence of rising fertility
• only a few societies have reached this stage so we can’t say for certain what happens at this level

Question 12

Policy implications- vision of the UN

Answer 12

1. Strengthen the formation of human capital
   health, including sexual and reproductive health and rights;
   – education, including comprehensive sexuality education;
   – poverty reduction, decent work and social protections;
   – human rights, non discrimination, equal opportunities, women’s empowerment and youth participation.
2. Promote the benefits of migration
3. Create equitable, liveable and sustainable cities
4. Strengthen national capacities to collect, use and analyze population data and projections.