Economics of Population Flashcards
Chapter 26
define demography !
the statistical study of human population
define underpopulation !
a country is underpopulated when an increase in the population causes an increase in the average income per head under given economic resources.
some counties, like Canada and Australia, encourage people to immigrate in order to satisfy labour shortages.
define overpopulation !
a country is overpopulated when an increase in the population causes an decrease in the average income per head under given economic resources.
this can contribute to a low GDP per capita, and very high crime rates
define an optimum population !
when the average income per head is at its highest possible level under given economic resources.
what is the birth rate?
the average number of life births per 1,000 people per year.
e.g. high in niger, uganda, mali
low in monaco, japan, Hong Kong
what is the fertility rate?
the number of live births in a geographic area in a year per 1,000 women of childbearing age.
developed countries:
women concentrate on their careers,
availability of contraception & family planing advice,
increasing sexual equality,
in developing countries:
children contribute to household income,
pension scheme,
high infant mortality rate
what is the total fertility?
is the average number of babies born to women during their reproductive years.
what is the death rate?
the average number of deaths per 1,000 people per year
developing countries : dirt & bad water supply, poor housing conditions, poor medical service, poor food supply
developed countries : good housing conditions, safe water supplies, more than enough food to eat, advanced medical services
define infant mortality!
refers to the number of children out of every 1,000 born alive who die on or before their first birthday!
causes: lack of nutrition, no safe, clean water, no child and maternal services, infectious diseases, conlict in counties
high in Angola, Afghanistan,mozambique
low in Hong Kong, Japan, Iceland
define life expectancy!
the number of years, based on statistical averages , that a person of a specific age , class or another demographic variable may be expected to continue living.
affected by:
income, education, urbanization,country
high in:
japan, Switzerland, Sweden
define the density of a population !
the average number of people per square kilometer.
formula: total population of a country divided by the total land area of a country
high:
macau, monaco, Hong Kong
low:
French Guiana, Namibia, australia
define net migration!
the difference between outward migration (emigration) and inward migration (immigration) during a period of time
define immigration in relation to ireland!
citizens of other counties entering Ireland to live here.
define emigration in relation to ireland!
Irish citizens leaving Ireland and moving to life abroad.
what factors can contribute to migration?
push forces - emigration
pull forces - immigration
name a few push forces which can lead to emigration !
- high levels of unemployment,
- low wage rates,
- lack of promotion opportunities,
- poor social infrastructure,
- political instability,
- religious persecution,
- desire to seek new experiences
name a few pull forces which can lead to immigration ?
- employment opportunities,
- higher wages,
- better standard of living,
- job experiences,
- greater political stability abroad,
- more attractive climate
- desire to seek new experiences
how can we calculate the dependency ratio?
formula:
number of people aged under 15 and over 65 decided by the number of people aged between 15 and 65
how can the dependency ratio change?
if a population increases due to immigration, more people might join the labour force and the ration would decrease. hence increases in the tax revenue of the state
if a population increases due to a higher birth ration the ratio goes up and there might be a higher demand on government funds.
what are economic consequences of an increase in emigration?
- a rising dependency ratio
- opportunity costs
- ‘brain drain’
- smaller domestic market
- upward pressure on Irish wage levels
- demand for state services
- unemployment reduced
- international connections
- reduction in social costs
- loss of potential investment
what is ‘brain drain’ ?
graduates who have acquired skills needed to help us move toward economic growth may emigrate in search for employment or better job opportunities.
it robs the economy of the skills and qualifications invested in them, which are an important aspect of economic recovery and strength .
what are economic consequences for a country experiencing increased immigration?
- increased demand for goods/services
- improved dependency ratio,
- government revenue increases,
- reduction in labour shortages
- greater utilization of services
- new skills/traditions within society
- pressure on provision of state services
- pressure on infrastructure
- drain of state finances
- exploitation of immigration
- increased dependency ratio
- resentment/ racism
- land and property values increase
define an aging population !
a population who…
- lives longer
- has an increasing average lifespan
- has a growing percentage who are in a n older age bracked
what are possible economic effects of an aging population on the Irish economy?
- pressure on the provision of state pensions
- increased tax burden
- increased government expenditure
- changing pattern of demand
- participation rate falls
- reduced mobility of labour
what is the census ?
the census is the official count of the nation’s people and a compilation of economic, social and other data. it is used by the government in formulating development policies and plans. it usually occurs every five years.
what are the economic uses of a census of population in Ireland?
- shows demographic changes,
- infrastructural requirements,
- regional policy,
- pension planning
why is the census of population important ?
it gives an overall picture of the social and living conditions,
helps in planning of infrastructure, education systems and health care,
to get an accurate indication of net migration
how does world famine affect the global perspective of our rising population?
95% of human population growth is occurring in countries already struggling. a high percentage of income is spent on basics like food, housing and clothing. little finance is left to invest in the economy.
this perpetuates the poverty cycle.
is there a fall of population in developed countries?
it is unlikely to change in the next 40 years and should remain at around 1.2 billion.
fertility is below the replacement level in many developed countries.
it would probably decline without inward migration.
global perspective : how does our rising population affect the enviremant?
overpopulation means less available land for agriculture, hence increased demand for chemical agriculture band genetically modified crops. (increase in food production)
fresh water supplies are decreasing. the amount of available water per person will drop by 74% between 1950 and 2050. (South Africa, California )
what was Thomas maltus’ theory of the growing population?
population will increase in a geometric progression (1,2,4,8,16,…) while the resources to feed the population will grow by arithmetic progression (1,2,3,4,…), which Leeds to food shortages…
book: An Essay of the Principle of Population
can we see maltus’ theory of population growth being proven or not?
yes - in some less developed countries
no- in developed countries,
due to improvements in agricultural technology & a slow down in population growth
