Chapter Two
Population
World Population Growth
* Population growth refers to a change in population size.
* This change can be positive or negative.
* Where there is no change in population numbers, which is otherwise known as
zero population growth.
Factors affecting world population growth rate
* Changes in the world population growth rate is due to two factors:
- A rise in birth rates
- A fall in death rates
* Birth rate refers to the number of live births per 1 000 people per year.
* Death rate refers to the number of deaths per 1 000 people per year.
* How fast a population grows depends on the rate of natural increase.
* If there are more births than deaths, that is, when the birth rate is higher than
the death rate, the country experiences an increase in population.
* We say that the rate of natural increase is positive.
* If the death rate is higher than the birth rate, the country experiences a
decrease in population.
* We say that the rate of natural increase is negative.
* If both the birth rate and death rate are equal, we say that the growth rate is
zero.
Population Distribution
* We say that the population distribution, or the way in which people are spread
out over an area of land, is uneven.
Factors influencing population distribution
1. Physical environment
2. Level of technology
Population Density
Population density gives us an idea of the number of people living in a particular
area. It is usually expressed in terms of the number of people per square
kilometer of the land.
- A population pyramid is a graph that gives us information about the number
or percentage of people in different age groups, and the proportion of males to
females in a place.
3 Types of Population Pyramids
I. Youthful Population Pyramid (Christmas Tree / Rapid Growth/ Expanding)
II. Aging Population Pyramid (The Cup / Negative growth / Declining)
III. Aged Population Pyramid (The box / Slow growth / Stable)
3 Sections of the population pyramid
- Lower section of the pyramid (Youth and Children) 0 - 14
- Middle section of the pyramid (Working population / Middle aged people) 15 –
59
- Upper section of the pyramid (The elderly age group /Old people) 60 – 95+
* High and low Rates of Population Growth
High rate of Population Growth
- The fastest population growth in the world today is expected in less developed
countries (LDC).
- Less developed countries refer to countries with low levels of economic wealth
and poor living conditions.
- India is one of the countries in Asia experiencing a population explosion.
- Rapid increase in population is called a population explosion.
- We can use a population pyramid to show this pattern of population growth.
Youthful Population
Causes of a high rate of population growth
- For a population to increase rapidly, there must be a low death rate and a
high birth rate.
Factors that lead to a low death rate
1. Better medical and health care
2. Better hygiene
Factors that lead to a high birth rate
1. Lack of family planning
2. Early marriages
3. Preferences for sons
4. Need for farm labour
Consequences of a high rate of population growth
1. Higher demand for resources
2. Higher demand for housing
3. Higher demand for education
4. Higher demand for jobs
5. Environmental problems
Actions to control a high rate of population growth
1. Education on family planning
2. Incentives and penalties
Causes of a low rate of population growth
- It has been observed that countries that experience a low rate of
population growth usually experience a low death rate as well as a
low birth rate.
Factors that lead to a low death rate
1. Higher standards of hygiene
2. Better nutrition
3. Better medical and health care
Factors that lead to a low birth rate
- Later marriages
- Fewer marriages
- Preference for smaller families
- Family planning
Consequences of a low rate of population growth
- Ageing population
- Higher taxes
- Smaller talent pool
Action to manage a low rate of population growth
- Encouraging marriage and childbearing
- Meeting the needs of the elderly
- Building special facilities
- Helping the elderly keep healthy
- Encouraging families to look after the elderly
- Extending working life
- Encouraging financial planning
Glossary
* Infant mortality rate is the number of deaths among infants under one
year of age every 1 000 live births per year.
* Census the official process of counting the number of people in a country,
city, or town and collecting information about them. (Or)
An official count or survey, especially of a population.
* Life expectancy refers to the average number of years a person living in a
particular area is expected to live.
* High rate of population growth means a rapid increase in population.
* Low rate of population growth means a slow increase in population.
* Population density is the number of people living in a unit area of land.
* Population distribution is the spread of people over a unit of area of land.
How long would you like to live on Earth?
What helps people to live longer?
How is the healthcare in your country?
What are the biggest health problems in your country?
- Better health care
- Better hygiene
- Better nutrition
- Regular exercises
- Air and water quality
- Good support for the elderly
1. What is population?
2. What does world population growth mean?
3. What is population explosion?
4. What does birth rate refer to?
5. What does death rate refer to?
6. Where do most people live on the earth?
7. How does population distribution affect population?
8. How does population distribution affect the environment?
9. What are the main factors of population distribution?
A. Christmas tree / Triangle Shape
B. Population growth of India is High.
C. - Early marriage
- Lack of family planning
- Need for farm labour
- Preference for sons