Theme 1 Flashcards
Overpopulated Country
Bangladesh – Overpopulated Country
Simple Explanation:
Bangladesh has a very high population density, causing strain on housing, services, jobs, and food.
Versatile Statistics:
* Population density: over 1,100 people/km²
* GDP per capita: ~$2,700
Over 30% of people work in agriculture
⚠️ Reasons Why:
Lack of access to contraception in rural areas
High birth rates due to poverty and tradition
Limited land, especially due to river flooding
Rapid Population Growth
Nigeria – Rapid Population Growth
Simple Explanation:
Nigeria has a large young population and high birth rate, leading to fast population growth.
Versatile Statistics:
* Population: over 220 million
* Birth rate: ~37 per 1,000
Median age: 18 years
⚠️ Reasons Why:
Cultural preference for large families
Low access to family planning
High infant mortality, so people have more children
Population Policy
China – Population Policy
Simple Explanation:
China’s One Child Policy (1979–2015) reduced birth rates and slowed population growth.
Versatile Statistics:
* Estimated 400 million births prevented
* Total population: 1.4 billion
Policy ended in 2015
⚠️ Reasons Why:
Fear of famine and poverty due to overpopulation
Rapid industrialisation increased pressure on resources
Government needed fast control over population size
Population Pressure
India – Population Pressure
Simple Explanation:
India faces pressure on resources due to a huge and fast-growing population.
Versatile Statistics:
* Population: over 1.4 billion
* Urban population: over 35%
Birth rate: ~18 per 1,000
⚠️ Reasons Why:
Rapid rural-urban migration to overcrowded cities
Regional inequalities (e.g. Bihar vs Maharashtra)
Lack of infrastructure in urban areas
International Migration
Mexico to USA – International Migration
Simple Explanation:
Many migrate from Mexico to the USA due to poverty and crime, seeking jobs and safety.
Versatile Statistics:
* Over 12 million Mexican-born people live in the USA
* Unemployment in Mexico: ~3%
Remittances: $60+ billion/year
⚠️ Reasons Why:
High crime and drug violence in Mexican regions
Big income and lifestyle gap between the two countries
Family links already established in the US
Urban Growth
Lagos, Nigeria – Urban Growth
Simple Explanation:
Lagos has grown rapidly due to rural-urban migration, causing housing shortages and traffic.
Versatile Statistics:
* Population: 20+ million
* 70% live in slums
Rural-urban migration: ~250,000 per year
⚠️ Reasons Why:
Rural poverty pushes people to the city
More jobs and education in Lagos attract migrants
Poor planning and rapid growth outpace services
