Population Flashcards
What was Malthus theory and was he right?
Malthus hypothesised that unchecked population growth would quickly exceed carrying capacity, leading to over population and social problems
For Malthus: population bomb, resource wars, carrying capacity
Against Malthus: population levelling off, dramatic increase in food production
Was right but only to an extent
Environmental impact equation
I=f(P,A,T)
I = environmental impact, A=affluence, P=population, T=technology
What is the demographic transition model? what are the stages
Refers to the transition from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates as a society develops from a pre-industrial society to a developed society.
stage
As a country passes through the demographic transition model, the total population rises. Most LEDCs are at stage 2 or 3 (with a growing population and a high natural increase). Most MEDCs are now at stage 4 of the model and some such as Germany have entered stage 5.
Basic Demographic Equation
P^(t+n)=P^(t)+(B-D)+(I-O) P^(t+n)= population at time t plus n years P^(t)= population at time t B= births occurring between t and t+n D= deaths occurring between t and t+n I= gain from immigration O= loss through immigration
Why is there high fertility in developing countries
- Children as a source of labour and security
- Traditional values and attitude to families
- Womens position in society, lack of education, lack of labour force opportunities
- Lack of access to contraception
- Preservation of national identity
Why is there low fertility in developed countries
- Rise of materialist values and self actualisation
- Cost of children
- Rising female labour force participation
- Risk aversion in the face of uncertainty
- Contraception as a means, not an ultimate cause
What is used to measure mortality?
- Crude Death Rate: number of deaths in a year birth thousand population
- Infant mortality Rate: deaths of infants aged under one per thousand births
- Life expectancy at birth: average number of years a person can expect to live according to current mortality conditions
What is population momentum?
Lower fertility+ longer life expectancy= ageing
The increase in population due to the movement of older cohorts into older age groups.
What are some implications of an ageing population and what are some potential solutions?
Financial - cost of services- health care - shortfall in pensions - reduced economic productivity Social and economic - ageing labour force- skill shortage - demand for specialised services/ facilities - greater dependency burden for families Political - political power for the elderly
Solutions
- raise retirement age, raise taxes or reduce services, increase immigration, increase fertility, promote euthanasia
Definition of migration
permanent or semi permanent change of residence for an individual or group, moving from one political jurisdiction to another
Gross vs net migration
Gross- immigration + emigration
Net= Immigration - emigration
Why do people move?
Economic, family, housing, amenity led, forced move
What are some push and pull factors that may force people to move?
Push
war, poverty, famine, environmental deterioration or hazards, persecution, natural disasters
Pull
economic opportunity, family or community linkages, political structures, historical, political, cultural linkages
Irregular and forced migration
Irregular- occurs in contravention of some form of national or international rules
Forced- involuntary or coerced movement of a person or persons away from their home
Causes of forced migration
- Conflict- war, insecurity, deliberate displacement
- Development- construction projects, agricultural expansion
- Disasters- environmental events or conditions, industrial accidents, economic collapse
