Unit 4- Human Population CASE STUDIES Flashcards
Factors that affect pop growth in Niger
Male domination + strong Islamic beliefs= hgih fertility rate of 6.8
Low access to contraception
High child marriage rates
Emigration from Niger
3% of pop emigrate away (mostly male)
Popular countries include Mali, Nigeria, Burkina-Faso
Movement for work + improved living conditions
Migration within Niger
Forced movement when natural disasters in rural areas
Generally rural to rural
Strategies to reduce the FR in Niger
Reducing child marriage
Increasing female education
Educating men
Govt. family planning policy
Immigration into Niger
Come from Nigeria, Benin, Cote d-Ivoire
Young men are the majority
Recent conflict in neighboring countries> refugees- 2017= 250000 ppl
Geospatial tech used in Niger
Using drone technology to monitor the distribution of displaced ppl in the Diffa region (500000 ppl spread across an area the size of Belgium)
Advantages of drone tech in Niger
- 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
Disadvantages of drone tech in Niger
- 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
Opportunities for drone tech in Niger
- 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
Threats for drone tech in Niger
Lack of funding by the govt. + International organisations
* Operating among ongoing military operations
* Remote locations can be difficult to access + provide tech to
Nature of population trends in Germany
- 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)
Population Issues and challenges in Germany
- 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
Niger population characteristics
FR= 6.8 children per woman
BR= 45 births/ 1000/ year
70% of population under 25 years old
Niger Location
Central Africa
Neighbored by Chad, Mali, Algeria, Burkina Faso etc.
Niger in the world regional context
- 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
Germany geospatial tech
Agespot Feasibility Study
Who implemented Agespot Feasibility Study?
European Space Agency
Used by Govts. and private companies
How does Agespot Feasibility Study work?
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
Strengths of Agespot Feasibility Study
Could be used by govts and provate sectors to create infrastructure e.g. aged care homes
Cheaper solution for collecting data
Weaknesses of Agespot Feasibility study
Census data is only recorded every 10 years, so may be outdated if used
Model was proposed but never implemented (completed in 2018)
Opportunities for Agespot Feasibility Study
Potential for global expansion
Technology to actually be used
Determine demand areas
Potential cost-saving for govt
Threats to Agespot feasibility Study
Not been implemented
Not throughly tested or supported with evidence
Sustainability not ensured
Might not be taken seriously by future planners
Local response to aging pop in Germany
Adapting working conditions within BMW factories to suit older workers
Background info on local response to aging in Germany
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
Strengths of local response in Germany
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
Weaknesses of local response in Germany
Strong initial resistance from younger workers fearing loss of productivty and older workers fearing leaving comfort zones.
Workers feared lack of choice/ consultation
Opportunities for local response in Germany
Expansion beyond BMW
‘Critical capability for global companies’ according to Harvard Business Review
Threats to local response in Germany
Lack of worker compliance
Lack of funding and corporate cooperation
Germany Population Characteristics
Low TFR of 1.4 children per woman of child-bearing age
BR of 9/1000/year
DR of 13/1000/year
Reasons for low TFR in Germany
Cultural beliefs around working mothers= ‘raven mother’
Workplaces inconducive to working parents
Children may be seen as an economic liability
Population trends in Germany
Hyper-aging population
30% over 65 by 2050
1/5 of population over 80 by 2050
Strategies to address aging in Germany
Kindergeld and Eltnergeld
DTM diagram
