population Flashcards
What is meant by the term population?
Population refers to all of the inhabitants of a particular country.
Define the term population growth rate.
The population growth rate is the amount of change in the population of a country, expressed as a percentage.
What factors affect population growth?
The annual birth rate, the annual death rate and net migration affect population growth.
True or False? A higher birth rate and a higher death rate would both increase the population.
False.
A higher birth rate and a lower death rate would both increase the population.
True.
What is the impact of immigration on population growth?
More immigration than emigration would increase the population growth rate.
Define the term natural population change.
Natural population change is calculated by deducting the death rate from the birth rate.
State two factors that lead to a decrease in the death rate.
Two factors that lead to a decrease in the death rate include:
- Improvements to medicine
- Technology
- Better transport
- Housing
- Sanitation
Why have birth rates remained high in LEDCs?
Birth rates have remained high in LEDCs due to lack of contraception, more women surviving childbirth, families having large numbers of children for support, culture and religious reasons.
What factors have led to a decrease in birth rates in MEDCs?
Increased access to family planning and contraception, changing social norms, increased costs of child rearing and education have led to a decrease in birth rates in MEDCs.
Define the term emigration.
Emigration is the outward movement of people from a country.
What is overpopulation?
Overpopulation occurs when there are more people in a country or region than its resources and technology can support.
State two effects of overpopulation.
Two effects of overpopulation include:
- Higher levels of pollution
- Higher crime
- Higher unemployment
- More food and water shortages
- More pressure on government services
What is underpopulation?
Underpopulation occurs when there are more resources available than the population can use effectively.
Define the term optimum population.
An optimal population occurs when there is a balance between the number of people and the resources and technology available.
What is a population structure?
A population structure is an analysis of the characteristics of a population (the distribution of age, sex, ethnicity, religion, etc).
How can population pyramids be used?
Population pyramids are used to display the gender and age structure of a given population and identify different groups, like dependents and the economically active population.
State the formula used to calculate the dependency ratio.
Dependency ratio = (young dependents + old dependents) / economically active population
How do ageing populations affect an economy?
Ageing populations can lead to increased pension payments, an increased need for care homes and healthcare, a smaller labour force, and higher wage costs for firms.
What are the effects of falling birth rates?
Falling birth rates can lead to school closures, future labour shortages, and the introduction of government incentives to encourage families to have more children.
How can immigration affect a country?
Rapid population growth due to migration leads to increasing pressures on services, housing shortages, traffic congestion, pollution, and food shortages.
