Unit 8.1 Human population dynamics

Question 1

Current global population growth rate and projected future trend

Answer 1

The global population is currently growing at about 1.05% per year, with projections indicating a slowdown and an expectation to reach 10 billion by 2057.

Question 2

Key demographic indicators used to quantify human population dynamics

Answer 2

1. Crude Birth Rate (CBR)
2. Crude Death Rate (CDR)
3. Natural Increase Rate (NIR)
4. Doubling Time (DT)
5. Total Fertility Rate (TFR)

Question 3

Crude Birth Rate (CBR)

Answer 3

number of live births in a year/population * 1000 (per thousand)

Question 4

Crude Death Rate (CDR)

Answer 4

number of deaths in a year/population * 1000 (per thousand)

Question 5

Natural Increase Rate (NIR)

Answer 5

CBR - CDR / 10 (%)

Question 6

Doubling Time (DT)

Answer 6

number of years needed for a population to double

70 / NIR (years)

Question 7

Total Fertility Rate (TFR)

Answer 7

average number of children a woman will have during her reproductive lifetime

Question 8

Demographic Transition Model (DTM)

Answer 8

Model that shows how populations transition from high birth and death rates to low rates as a country develops economically

Question 9

Stages of the Demographic Transition Model

Answer 9

Stage 1 - High and Variable

Stage 2 - Early Expanding

Stage 3 - Late Expanding

Stage 4 - Low and Variable

Stage 5 - Declining

Question 10

Stage 1DTM

Answer 10

Both birth rates and death rates are high, leading to very slow population growth.

Indigenous tribes

Question 11

Stage 2 DTM

Answer 11

High birth rates due to social norms, and rapidly declining death rates due to better healthcare and sanitation, leading to rapid population growth.

Afghanistan and Sudan

Question 12

Stage 3 DTM

Answer 12

Declining birth rates and low death rates, leading to slower population growth.

Brazil and Argentina.

Question 13

Stage 4 DTM

Answer 13

Both birth rates and death rates are low, leading to slow and fluctuating population growth.

Most economically developed countries are at this stage.

Question 14

Stage 5

Answer 14

Birth rates are lower than death rates, leading to a population decline.

Japan and Sweden.

Question 15

Weaknesses and Limitations of DTM

Answer 15

• Eurocentric and assumes all countries pass through the same stages, not accounting for cultural, political, or economic differences.
• It does not account for the impact of migration, which significantly affects population dynamics.
• Factors such as wars, disease outbreaks, and other disruptions are not integrated into the model, which can significantly alter demographic transitions

Question 16

Factors that infleunce population growth

Answer 16

1. Cultural
   - In some cultures (agricultural) advantage is having more children to work on the land.
   - Cultures with higher women workforce participation tend to have lower birth rates.
   - Religious beliefs about family planning can also play a role, with most religions being pro-natalist.
2. Social
   - There may be social pressure on women in more traditional societies to bear more children.
   - Many don’t have control over their reproductive rights, affecting birth rates.
3. Political
   - Governments may have pro-natalist or anti-natalist policies influencing birth rates.
   - Migration policies can also directly affect a country or region’s population dynamics.
4. Economic
   - The cost of childcare, can influence family size decisions
   - Economic conditions and the availability of resources such as clean water, sanitation, housing, and healthcare facilities can affect birth and death rates
5. National and international policies
   - Policies can significantly influence population dynamics.
   - Natural hazards and civil conflicts or wars can also have major impacts.

Question 17

China One-Child Policy

Answer 17

The China One-Child Policy was an anti-natalist policy introduced in 1979 to control population growth.

• Restricted most Chinese families to only one child, with some exceptions.
• Aimed to alleviate social, economic, and environmental problems by reducing the rate of population growth.
• Phased out, recognizing problems with the ageing population and gender imbalance due to cultural preferences for males
• Replaced with a two-child policy in 2015
• 2021, relaxed to allow three children

Question 18

Spain Baby Bonus Policy

Answer 18

• a pro-natalist policy implemented from 2007 to 2010
• provided financial incentives to families upon the birth of a child, encouraging higher birth rates to counteract the declining population growth and to support future workforce needs.

Question 19

Effects of the One-Child Policy on China’s population

Answer 19

• prevented an estimated 400 million births.
• contributed to an ageing population, with a smaller proportion of young people.
• skewed sex ratio with significantly more males than females.
• labour shortage as the workforce ages
• long-term impact, one child is responsible for supporting two parents and four grandparents