Population Studies Flashcards
Main Topics
- World Population Trends
- Population Growth and Concepts
- Population Pyramids
- Population Policies
World Population Trends
what is carrying capacity?
- carrying capacity = The number of people an area of land can support
World Population Trends
how to describe population trends?
- How to describe population trends:
1. Describe the overall trend
2. Give data from both the x and y axis
3. Mention any anomalies or figures that may not fit the trend
World Population Trends
keywords to describe population trends? 5pt
- Fluctuation / to fluctuate
- Peak / reach a peak
- Dip / to dip
- Fall / hit its lowest point / amount
- A plateau / to reach a plateau (stabilise)
Developing Countries - Overpopulation
Implications of the Trends in World Population Growth 3pt
- Population growth may exceed carrying capacity if fertility rates remain high
- This may place a strain on the finite resources available
- For example, resources like clean water and food may run out and people may face starvation and malnutrition
Developed Countries - Shrinking & Ageing Population
Implications of the Trends in World Population Growth 4pt
- There may be underutilization of resources (e.g. Schools may need to be closed or merged) as the fertility rates fall below the replacement rate
- Labour shortages/ reduced labour pool (e.g. SG rely on immigration to keep our economy afloat)
- Life expectancy will be higher (Ageing Population)
- More resources will be needed and diverted to supporting the elderly-dependents’ needs
Developing Countries - Overpopulation
Effects of Population Size on Socio-Economic Development 3pt
- If population size gets too large, people may need to share the limited resources available
- The lack of access to important services and resources like food and education may reduce their SOL 🡪 They may face malnutrition, inability to attend school to learn new skills and knowledge
- This may contribute to a vicious cycle where the poor may not be able to find gainful employment, and fall deeper into a life of poverty
Developed Countries - Shrinking & Ageing Population
Effects of Population Size on Socio-Economic Development 3pt
- Economic development may be slowed down due to reduction in those of working-age
- Increased economic strain placed on the economically active people as taxes may need to be raised in order to meet the needs of the ageing society (e.g. Build more infrastructure like hospitals) 🡪 reduced QOL for the working adults as they may be more stressed
- If there are insufficient healthcare or amenities to meet the needs of the ageing population, their SOL may be compromised as they may not receive timely medical attention or support
What is the meaning of socio-economic and social?
- Socio-economic = Social and Economic Development of a country, maintaining the social and material well-being of the nation and its people. Measured by income, life expectancy, literacy rates, levels of employment
- Social = Standard of Living (SOL) and Quality of Life (QOL)
Population Growth and Concepts
Terms & Definitions
Terms
Definition
Birth Rate (BR)
* The number of live births for every 1,000 people in a particular year.
Death Rate (DR)
* The number of deaths for every 1,000 people in a particular year.
Rate of Natural Increase
* It is the rate of natural growth in population resulting from an excess of birth rate over death rate. Calculated as “Birth rate – Death rate”
- There is growth in population only when the number of babies born exceeds the number of people who have died.
- When births exceed deaths, there is a positive growth in the population
- When deaths exceed births, there is a negative growth in the population
Total Fertility Rate
* It refers to the average number of children each woman in a population would bear if during her child-bearing years she bore children at the same rate as women of those ages did in a particular year.
Infant Mortality Rate
* It refers to the number of babies who die before reaching one year old per thousand babies born alive in a year.
Life Expectancy
* The length of time a person is likely to live from birth.
Causes of Population Increase
Factors that encourage High Birth Rate
6pt
- Children are seen as wealth in traditional society and provide labour in farms
* They help in the farms & bring additional income. - Preference for sons
* Sons retain the family name, while daughters need dowry to be paid (money for marriage). Couples will continue getting children until they have succeeded in getting sons. - Early marriages
* Women who marry young have more children. - High number of deaths among children (High infant mortality rate)
* In some developing countries, where health care services are lacking, children die at a young age. Parents have more children in the hopes that a few of their children survive to adulthood. - Lack of information on family planning/birth control
* People who are ignorant of birth control methods may have more children than they really want. People may be ignorant because they are illiterate or not well-informed as information on birth control has not reached them yet. - Religious beliefs that do not allow the use of contraceptives
* Some religions do not allow their followers to use artificial methods of birth control.
Causes of Population Increase
Factors that encourage Low Death Rate
2pt
- Better Health Care
* Availability of hospitals, clinics, doctors, medical equipment, medicine and medical knowledge
* Immunisation for babies reduces infant mortality rate
* With better health care, the elderly are able to live longer. - Better Sanitation and Hygiene
* People are less prone to falling sick and contracting diseases if the places where they live are clean and sanitary.
* People take good care of personal hygiene by cleaning themselves.
* eg clean supply of water & modern flush toilets allows people to keep themselves clean.
Causes of Population Decline
Factors that Encourage Low Birth Rate
3pt
- Birth Control Measures
* sterilization and increasing use of contraceptives help keep birth rate low. - Higher Education and Career Choices –
* Women have become more educated and liberated. Their perception of their role as merely bearing children have changed. More women have chosen to focus on their career. - Lifestyle Choices
* As wealth increases, there is a greater aspiration for material things such as cars. It is easier to achieve a material lifestyle when the family is small as household expenses will be smaller.
- Problems of Overpopulation 5pt
- Illiteracy and low educational levels
- Unemployment
- Hunger and Malnutrition
- Overcrowding
- Ill Health
