Population Flashcards
Why is it difficult to gather accurate population data in developing countries 7
- Countries with many official languages have to translate their census form… meaning they’ll have to employ enumerators who can speak multiple languages
- Many people are unable to read and write and therefore are unable to complete the forms… meaning they might make mistakes unintentionally leading to inaccuracy
- The poor infrastructure and difficult terrain… eg the amazon rainforest… may make it difficult for enumerators to distribute census forms
- Conflict may make it dangerous for enumerators to enter parts of a country
- Many people in developing countries may be living in informal housing, so having no official address… eg Dhararvi
- People who are illegal immigrants are unlikely to complete the census
- Ethic tensions and internal political rivalries may lead to inaccuracies eg northern Nigeria’s… wher it was reported to have inflated its population figures to secure political representation
Different methods used by countries to collect data (8)
- A census is a survey carried out every 10 years
- Each household is asked to complete a detailed questionnaire about the number of people living in their home
- Households answer other questions on their social, economic and cultural background
- Civil registrations of births and deaths
- Provides an up to date count between census
- Governments also collect data on migration, for example visa applications and the NHS provides health data
- Scottish households is a continuous survey, based on. Random sample of the population
- This is cheaper than carrying out a full census
Consequences of having a fast growing population
Consequence of having a developing country 7
Eg India
- Huge pressure and expense required to house, educate and provide health care for a large younger population…. Literacy rates may be low as not everyone can access education which can have a knock on impact on the economy in the future
- High unemployment rates as there is not enough jobs available to provide for such a high number of young people… resulting in people being forced to go into informal jobs, which means there are few workers rights and many people can be exploited
- Overcrowding from. Lack of houses means people are forced to live in shanty towns which brings the problem of disease and a lack of sanitation.
- Pressure on foods supplies as many countries wont be able to support their growing population. This could leave to starvation or malnutrition
- More people means more traffic in cities which can lead to increased congestion and high carbon dioxide levels. This can impact on peoples health such as asthmatics
- Pressure on land leads to agriculture moving to areas of drier, poorer soils, with trees being cleared to grow the groups . This can lead to the land becoming infertile and soils being destroyed which can lead to rural to urban migration
- Having a large workforce could actually help with the development of a country as it would attract and possible solution expand into new industries…. Competition for jobs also allows wages to be low which can help companies make a profit and expand
Possible solutions of having a fast growing population 5
- One child policy eg china which can limit the number of babies
- Lots of people going for jobs can mean new industries may come in which can help with the infrastructure
- Better family planning and education on contraception
- Improve women status and education, and help with their careers so they don’t have as many children
- Incentives to have fewer children, eg encourage sterilisation
Consequences of a population in a developed country (slow growing/ ageing population) 5
- Fewer and declining number of young people. This can mean there is a depleted workforce in years to come and some careers may be harder to recruit eg the armed forces
- More older people. Places a strain on elderly service provider eg nursing homes
- An increased elderly population may require more health care, putting the health services under more stress. More demand for expensive operations such as hip replacements which require long after care. This puts increase pressure of younger unpaid carers
- The cost of pension will go up. Puts an additional strain in the working force to pay for the elderly. Taxes may have to increase as a cost which will impact the local economy because people wont be able to spend as much.
- May be industries where there are skills gaps eg heavy good vehicles
Possible solutions of a slow growing population 2
Could increase the retirement age to reduce the risk of having a depleted workforce
Encourage private health care schemes and private pensions
What are the reasons for voluntary migration 5
Jobs, working for the day as a agricultural labourer in Mexico earns the same amount as a worker in the USA would take home in just 30 mins. Migrants can be more financially stable in th US that don’t require specific skills, and even have a limited education
Supporting families, often I is men that are migrants, often leave family behind and send money back for them using their higher wages
Family ties- migrant communities in the Southern States of the USA mean it is a desirable place to move to. There is a support network, help find housing and jobs an the ability to communicate in Spanish
Crime- Mexico has a higher crime rate which drug gangs working in major cities and the murder rate being high. The USA offers a more stable and safer life
Education- students will have the opportunity to be fluent in both Spanish and English. USA offer further educational opportunities with over 4000 colleges, helping young people have access to higher paying jobs
Impact on the loosing/ donor country in voluntery migration 7
Many family’s are separated due to many immigrants being men. This can cause tension in family’s who have been separated for a long time.
Remittances are sent back from the USA to families at home. This reduces the amount of families in poverty. The extra money mens they can have access to better healthcare but also boost the economy as people have more money to spend
]reduces pressure on housing, school needs jobs in Mexico
There is increased crime and violence in border towns such as Reynosa, where drug cartels are there to smuggle drugs and people into the USA
Young and skilled workers have left causing a shortage in skilled profession such as medicine
There has been a reduction in workforce in less skilled jobs such as the agriculture sector, with elderly workers being left to do most of the work. Output has decreased leading to food shortages
Many migrants may eventually return to Mexico, having learnt new skills. These can often improve the industry
Impact on the gaining/ receiving country for voluntary migration 8
Migrants often settle in with communities with other migrants. Often not integrating into wider American societies which can create tension.
Concerns that migrants may increase the crime rates in areas they migrate to eg smuggling drugs
Mexicans have enriched the American culture. Food, film and music has been Mexican influence, benefit from cultures which are different from your own
Spanish is taught in the majority of American schools, widening the skills of the younger offering more career opportunities.
Legal migrants pay taxes and contribute to the economy, and can help American local services
Labour shortages can be filled by highly skilled professionals eg engineers and doctors
Ghetto areas can also form especially in cities and there might be a shortage in affordable houses
Increase costs of providing services for migrant population and their families such as health care and school
What are the reason for forced migration 7
- Homes, shops and schools etc have been destroyed so people can’t access the services they need
- Turkishes and Syrian main religion is Islam so this helps reduce ethnic tension and help with integration
- Some camps provide education for youngsters so they can carry on with their schooling as well as medical care
- Turkey has around 3.6 million refugees. People therefore have family members or fellow country people who can help settle them in
- There has been reports of kidnapping, torture and rape in Syria and other human right violations
- Lack of economic growth has lead to high unemployment and few jobs
- In turkey there is safety away from air strikes, military action and daily stress of being in a war zone
Impact on loosing/ donor country in forced migration 6
There has been a brain drain with many educated people fleeing their home. There are fewer people to work as doctors, nurses and teachers
A lack of qualified medical staff has meant that those injured or suffering from disease are untreated. Syrias life expectancy has dropped especially in cities such as Homs
Fewer agricultural workers has meant less crops are grown and land sits unused which can lead to food shortages
Syrias economy is stagnant so very few job opportunities
Many cities are now deserted and ghost towns now have few services for those remaining
Money can be sent back to Syria improving their life and boosting the local economy
Impact on gaining/ receiving country in forced migration 6
Some temporary refugee camps has been there for over 10 years. Conditions are poor with limited access to running water, which can lead to ill health
Migrants can fill job shortages in turkey, particularly in lower skilled job such as retail
There my be pressure on accommodation, particularly in cheaper areas in towns which many can only afford
Greater cultural diversity and new experiences eg Syrian food
High unemployment amongst the Syrians which can lead to informal jobs. This means they are more likely to be exploited and they don’t pay taxes to the Turkish government
Formal Syrian workers will pay taxes and contribute to the economy. This will allow increased public spending on schools
