Unit 4- Human Population CASE STUDIES

Question 1

Factors that affect pop growth in Niger

Answer 1

Male domination + strong Islamic beliefs= hgih fertility rate of 6.8
Low access to contraception
High child marriage rates

Question 2

Emigration from Niger

Answer 2

3% of pop emigrate away (mostly male)
Popular countries include Mali, Nigeria, Burkina-Faso
Movement for work + improved living conditions

Question 3

Migration within Niger

Answer 3

Forced movement when natural disasters in rural areas
Generally rural to rural

Question 3

Strategies to reduce the FR in Niger

Answer 3

Reducing child marriage
Increasing female education
Educating men
Govt. family planning policy

Question 4

Immigration into Niger

Answer 4

Come from Nigeria, Benin, Cote d-Ivoire
Young men are the majority
Recent conflict in neighboring countries> refugees- 2017= 250000 ppl

Question 5

Geospatial tech used in Niger

Answer 5

Using drone technology to monitor the distribution of displaced ppl in the Diffa region (500000 ppl spread across an area the size of Belgium)

Question 6

Advantages of drone tech in Niger

Answer 6

• Critical resources in supporting the planning and ongoing humanitarian response across the SE
• Drones can provide extra detail to mapping e.g. the evolution of sites, cross-checking data, shelters, trees, distribution of gas as domestic energy
• Uses freely-available satellite imagery
• Data is up to date
• Images can be combined
• Locally-made
• Can access remote areas
• Has led to the training of young professionals

Question 7

Disadvantages of drone tech in Niger

Answer 7

• Niamey authorities do not have the funds to implement infrastructure recommendations
• Can be expensive
• Access to electronic devise and data services can be limited in areas
• Project faces significant tech challenges e.g. difficulties staying on course and on time

Question 8

Opportunities for drone tech in Niger

Answer 8

• Communities can be engaged to recommend mapping areas, support scoping, and share GPS coordinates > more efficient, accurate and collaborative
• ‘Integrated application’ tech can allow teams to access updated mapping info through tablets and phones
• Looking to expand the tech beyond Niger

Question 9

Threats for drone tech in Niger

Answer 9

Lack of funding by the govt. + International organisations
* Operating among ongoing military operations
* Remote locations can be difficult to access + provide tech to

Question 10

Nature of population trends in Germany

Answer 10

• Many years of increasing LE and decreasing BR> aging population
• DR higher than BR> negative natural decrease
• Slight increase in population since Reunification in 1989
• Population grew rapidly following WW2
• FR in West Germany has been 1.3-1.4 since 1970
• FR is 1.59 births per woman in 2020 (below replacement rate)

Question 11

Population Issues and challenges in Germany

Answer 11

• Percentage of retirees will grow to 1/3 by 2050
• Median age will increase to 47.4 yrs
• Increase in the old age dependency ratio
• By 2030, only two people will be working to support each retiree
• Decreasing workforce
• Very expensive pension systems
• $154 billion (1 /3 of federal budget) spent on pensions in 2020
• In 2050, 1 in ten people will be over 80
• Less demand for products bought by young people and families e.g. retail market, housing
• Contraction of the labour force, potential skill shortages
• Fewer ppl in rural + economically depressed regions have led to rise in right-wing beliefs
• Loss of young workers from rural areas to cities

Question 12

Niger population characteristics

Answer 12

FR= 6.8 children per woman
BR= 45 births/ 1000/ year
70% of population under 25 years old

Question 13

Niger Location

Answer 13

Central Africa
Neighbored by Chad, Mali, Algeria, Burkina Faso etc.

Question 14

Niger in the world regional context

Answer 14

• Countries with a similar growth rate include Angola (3.2%), Burkina Faso (2.8%), Chad (3%), Equatorial Guinea (3.5%), Mali (3%), Uganda (3.6%)
• Sub-Saharan Africa: desert Sahel region, tropical moist central Africa
• These countries are facing similar issues e.g. high dependency ratio, lack of economically active people
• Niger and Sahelian neighbours face added pressures of desertification + the associated challenges of ensuring food security for the population, neighbours facing similar challenges are Chad, Mali and Burkina Faso
• While Niger’s growth rate is high and the pop is young, many countries around th world are declining due to aging e.g. Japan has over 20% of citizens over 65 years of age
• Niger has one of the highest growth rates globally

Question 15

Germany geospatial tech

Answer 15

Agespot Feasibility Study

Question 16

Who implemented Agespot Feasibility Study?

Answer 16

European Space Agency
Used by Govts. and private companies

Question 17

How does Agespot Feasibility Study work?

Answer 17

Combines population dynamics modelling with high resolution satellite imagery
Provides location-based info about age of ppl within a certain area
Technical solution to targeting the silver economy

Question 18

Strengths of Agespot Feasibility Study

Answer 18

Could be used by govts and provate sectors to create infrastructure e.g. aged care homes
Cheaper solution for collecting data

Question 19

Weaknesses of Agespot Feasibility study

Answer 19

Census data is only recorded every 10 years, so may be outdated if used
Model was proposed but never implemented (completed in 2018)

Question 20

Opportunities for Agespot Feasibility Study

Answer 20

Potential for global expansion
Technology to actually be used
Determine demand areas
Potential cost-saving for govt

Question 21

Threats to Agespot feasibility Study

Answer 21

Not been implemented
Not throughly tested or supported with evidence
Sustainability not ensured
Might not be taken seriously by future planners

Question 22

Local response to aging pop in Germany

Answer 22

Adapting working conditions within BMW factories to suit older workers

Question 23

Background info on local response to aging in Germany

Answer 23

Implemented in 2007 in Dingolfing (NE of Munich)
Median age of workers expected to rise to 47 by 2017
Company concerned about loss of productivity and competitieveness
70 modifications made to a singular branch e.g. screens with larger type-face, custom made shoes, adjustable seats, rest breaks, stretching routines

Question 24

Strengths of local response in Germany

Answer 24

7% increase in productivity
Absenteeism reduced from 7% to 2%
Less defects
Worker satisfaction increased
Prevented older workers from being fired and forced into early retirement > reduced strain on aged care

Question 25

Weaknesses of local response in Germany

Answer 25

Strong initial resistance from younger workers fearing loss of productivty and older workers fearing leaving comfort zones.
Workers feared lack of choice/ consultation

Question 26

Opportunities for local response in Germany

Answer 26

Expansion beyond BMW
‘Critical capability for global companies’ according to Harvard Business Review

Question 27

Threats to local response in Germany

Answer 27

Lack of worker compliance
Lack of funding and corporate cooperation

Question 28

Germany Population Characteristics

Answer 28

Low TFR of 1.4 children per woman of child-bearing age
BR of 9/1000/year
DR of 13/1000/year

Question 29

Reasons for low TFR in Germany

Answer 29

Cultural beliefs around working mothers= ‘raven mother’
Workplaces inconducive to working parents
Children may be seen as an economic liability

Question 30

Population trends in Germany

Answer 30

Hyper-aging population
30% over 65 by 2050
1/5 of population over 80 by 2050

Question 31

Strategies to address aging in Germany

Answer 31

Kindergeld and Eltnergeld

Question 32

DTM diagram

Answer 32