Population Flashcards
(38 cards)
What does population change depend on/affected by?
Mainly: the balance between the birth rate and the death rate; to a lesser extent: migration
Describe Stage 1 of the demographic transition model + give an example of a country in stage 1
HIGH FLUCTUATING: Very high, fluctuating birth and death rate (as birth rate rises, death rate falls, vice-versa); e.g. no more countries in stage 1, maybe rainforest tribes
What is the x and y-axis of the demographic transition model?
x-axis: Time/Development
y-axis: Rate per 1,000 population
Describe Stage 2 of the demographic transition model + give an example of a country in stage 2
EARLY EXPANDING: Birth rate very high, death rate falling rapidly - positive natural change = drastically increasing population; e.g. most sub-saharan countries
Describe Stage 3 of the demographic transition model + give an example of a country in stage 3
LATE EXPANDING: Birth rate falling rapidly, death rate falling slower - growth rate smaller; e.g. most LEDCs
Describe Stage 4 of the demographic transition model + give an example of a country in stage 4
LOW FLUCTUATING: Birth falling slower, death rate falling very slowly - very little growth rate, e.g. most MEDCs
Describe the possible Stage 5 of the demographic transition model + give an example of a country which may end up in stage 5 in the near future
DECREASING POPULATION: Slight fall in birth rate, death rate is stable, death rate possibly exceeds birth rate; e.g. Japan, Germany, Italy
Suggests reasons for high birth rates.
- Shortage of family planning facilities and advice
- Parents having lots of children in the expectation that some will die (more common in LEDCs)
- Children can be put to work
- Children can look after parents when they get old/sick (there may not by an old age pension scheme)
- Contraception not available / not affordable
- In some cultures, children are seen as a sign of virility for men (machismo)
- ‘Boy Preference’ in some cultures causes couples to have more kids in the hope for a son/sons
- Certain religions denounce the use of contraception and/or encourage large families
- In some countries, the ‘Status of Women’ is low
Suggests reasons for high death rates.
- Dirty, unreliable water supplies
- Poor housing conditions
- Poor access to medical service
- Endemic (indigenous) diseases in some countries
- Diets that are short in nutrients/calories (this may be caused by drought, for example)
- Some MEDCs have a high DR as they have an ageing population (so a lot of old people are dying) (this will eventually decline)
Suggests reasons for low birth rates.
- Expensive to look after a large family
- In some countries, children are not allowed to work, by law
- Material possessions/vacations/etc. chosen over having (more) children
- More women prefer to concentrate on their careers
- Increasing sexual equality - women have more control over their fertility
- Ready availability of contraception and family planning services
- Concern about the future (climate change, natural resources, etc.)
- Children not expected to care for parents when they get old/sick (old age pensions offered)
Suggests reasons for low death rates.
- Good housing conditions
- (More than) enough food to eat
- Advanced medical services which are easily accessible
- Safe water supplies
- Better testing for and treatment of HIV/AIDS
What does the width of the base of a population pyramid relate to?
The birth rate / total fertility rate
What does the steepness of the side of a population pyramid relate to?
The straighter the sides, the lower the death rate / the more pyramid-like/concave the slope, the higher the death rate
What does a wide top on a population pyramid suggest?
That there are many elderly people which suggests a high life expectancy.
What are the 5-year age groups called on a population pyramid?
cohorts
What can bulges in a population pyramid suggest?
Bulges can indicate a higher fertility rate (baby boom) in the past at a specific point or a mass migration event
What is this dependency ratio - 100:54 - saying?
That for every 54 dependants there are 100 economically active
When does overpopulation occur? + give an example of a region which is overpopulated
When there are too many people living in an area for the resource and technology available for them to maintain an acceptable standard of living (e.g. Sub-Saharan Africa)
Causes of overpopulation
- Insufficient food, minerals and energy resources
- Suffer from localised natural disasters such as drought and famine
- Characterised by low incomes, poverty an poor living conditions
- High birth rates
When does underpopulation occur? + give examples of regions which are underpopulated
When people living in an area have more food, minerals and energy resources than they need (e.g. Australia, Canada)
Causes of underpopulation
- Being able to export surplus
- High incomes
- Good living conditions and high standard of living
- Low immigration rate
- Low birth rate
What is the principle of an anti-natal policy? + give an example of a country which has implemented an anti-natal policy
Discouraging births (e.g. China)
What is the principle of a pro-natal policy? + give an example of a country which has implemented a pro-natal policy
Encouraging births (e.g. Singapore)
How might people be awarded for adhering to an anti-natal policy?
‘Carrots’ = rewards such as privileges, cash awards, etc.
