Theme 1 - Population Flashcards
birth rate
total number of births per 1000 people
death rate
total number of deaths per 1000 people
fertility rate
average number of births each female would have during her reproductive years
mean years of schooling
average number of completed years of education in a population
overpopulation
when there are too many people and not enough resources for a high standard of living
underpopulation
when there are not enough people to fully exploit the available resources
optimum population
when the population of a country is fully utilising its available resources for the highest standard of living possible
carrying capacity
number of people who can live in a region of country before over-crowding leads to the deterioration in the standard of living and depletion of resources
population ceiling
saturation level where the population equals the carrying capacity
population distribution
the pattern of where people live
population density
average number of people living in an area per km^2
population growth rate
difference between birth and death rate
natural increase
(In population)
when the number of births exceeds the number of deaths
natural decrease
in population
when the number of deaths exceeds the number of births
causes of falling birth rates
- availability of contraception
- more women working
- girls are educated, marry later
- reduction of infant mortality
- increased family planning education
- less need for children as a labour source
causes of falling death rates
- healthcare improvements
- increased availability of medicine + doctors
- better food quality
- better water sources
- improved sanitation + hygeine
- reduction of wars and conflicts
stages of the demographic transition model
Stage 1: high birth and death rates, population growth rate is low. Health conditions are poor and child mortality rates are high
Stage 2: countries industrialise and healthcare + sanitation improve. death rates decline, birth rates remain high. There is a rapid increase in population growth rate.
Stage 3: industrialisation continues and education levels rise. birth rates decline, death rates remain low. Slow growth rate and a stable population size.
CASE STUDY: Rapid population growth in Niger
Introduction
- Niger is a country in West Africa
- Has increased from 3 million to 25 million since 1960
- high birth rare and decreasing death rate
CASE STUDY: Rapid population growth in Niger
Causes
- increased urbanisation -> better healthcare and food supply
- better clean water supply
- free healthcare for pregnant women -> mother and baby survival rates improved
CASE STUDY: Rapid population growth in Niger
Impacts
- large dependent population (15 years and below)
- increased pressure on schools + healthcare services
- increased rural->urban migration seeking work -> development of slums and illegal settlements
- food shortages
CASE STUDY: Rapid population growth in Niger
Management
- abolishment of child marriages
- improving education access
- improving healthcare access
- increased family planning education
- married and/or pregnant women can still go to school
Impacts of Overpopulation
- pollution levels increased
- crime rates
- unemployment
- food shortages
- pressure on services e.g. schools and hospitals
CASE STUDY: Overpopulation in Nigeria
Introduction
Nigeria is a country in West Africa
- has many resources like oil, gas, iron ore and zinc
- however, these are mostly owned by foreign companies
- therefore, not enough resources to support the population
CASE STUDY: Overpopulation in Nigeria
Causes
- high fertility rate: 5.5 children per women
- large families are traditionally + religiously valued
- children used as economic assets
- lack of family planning education and contraception
- decreasing death rate + increased life expectancy
CASE STUDY: Overpopulation in Nigeria
Impacts
- lack of fresh water
- diseases e.g. cholera
- water, air and land pollution
- increased cultivation for food -> soil erosion + desertification
-pressure on services - high crime rates
- youth unemployment due to gang activity
- illegal settlements such as slums
CASE STUDY: Underpopulation in Australia
Introduction
- Australia has one of the lowest population densities in the world
- rich in natural resources such as natural gas, oil, gold, uranium
- has more resources than it uses, etra resources are exported
CASE STUDY: Underpopulation in Australia
Causes
- late average age of giving birth (29.6)
- low birth rate
- average age: 37 yrs
- outback is resource rich
- land under treaty protection (aboriginal heritage)
- hot climate
CASE STUDY: Underpopulation in Australia
Impacts
- ageing population + more elderly dependents: taxes increase
- closure of schools + hospitals due to low use
- ageing population: less children enrolled in schools each year
CASE STUDY: ‘One Child Policy’ in China
Introduction
- China is a country in Asia
- Due to overpopulation, the government implemented a policy that allowed for families to only have 1 child
CASE STUDY: ‘One Child Policy’ in China
Incentives
- longer maternity leave
- free medical care
- cash bonuses
- better child care
- preferential housing arrangements
- free education
- better employment opportunities
CASE STUDY: ‘One Child Policy’ in China
Disincentives
- monitoring by ‘granny police’
- fired from jobs
- received fines
- pressured abortions and sterilisations
CASE STUDY: ‘One Child Policy’ in China
Impacts
- unbalanced male/female ratio due to preference for male children
- over 30 million more men than women
- decrease in population growth rate
- aging population
CASE STUDY: ‘One Child Policy’ in China
Methods
- propaganda promoting one child
- increased access to contraceptives
- no payment for education/healthcare for second child
- promotion of late marriages
- abortion legalised
CASE STUDY: Ageing Population in Japan
Introduction
- Japan is a country in Asia
- one third of the population are over 60yrs
- 12% are over 75
CASE STUDY: Ageing Population in Japan
Causes
- low birth rate (7.1 per 1000 people)
- low fertility rate (1.36 per woman)
- women focused on careers
- high life expectancy
CASE STUDY: Ageing Population in Japan
Impacts
- Shortage of Workers (people retiring, no replacements)
- Closure of Services
- Higher taxes (pensions, elderly healthcare)
- Shortage of elderly care workers
- School closures (fewer children)
- falling standard of living
Factors affecting population density + distribution
- employment: people want to live where there are jobs
- water supply: densely populated areas have good, clean water
- Industry: people want to live where they can work
- Transport: people want good transport links to commute, goods, trade etc
- Climate: temperate climates have high density
- Relief: flat areas are densely population as they are easy to build on
CASE STUDY: Population distribution in China
Population Distribution in China
- western areas are sparsely populated due to mountainous ranges
- desert areas, such as Gobi are sparsely populated
- coastal areas are densely populated, major cities are central to the industry
- areas with good communication links are densely populated
- large cities (e.g. Beijing) have mild climate, get ocean breeze
