8.1 Human Population Dynamics

Question 1

MEDC

Answer 1

More Economically Developed Countries with higher levels of income, industrialization, and standard of living.

Don’t accidently call it an “MECD”

Question 2

LEDC

Answer 2

Less Economically Developed Countries characterized by lower levels of income, industrialization, and standard of living.

Don’t accidentally call is an ‘LECD”

Question 3

Examples of newly industrialised countries

Answer 3

Mexico, Turkey, China, Malaysia

Question 4

BRICS Countries

Answer 4

An acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, which are major emerging economies with significant influence on regional and global affairs.

Question 5

HDI

Answer 5

Human Development Index, a composite statistic of life expectancy, education, and per capita income indicators to measure a country’s social and economic development.

Question 6

GDP

Answer 6

Gross Domestic Product, the total value of goods and services produced within a country’s borders in a specific time period (usually a year)

“GDP per capita” is the value attributed to each person living within that country.

Question 7

Limitations of GDP as a measure of economic development

Answer 7

GDP does not account for income distribution, environmental degradation, or non-market transactions, and can misrepresent well-being.

Question 8

Limitations of HDI as a measure of economic development

Answer 8

HDI does not consider inequality, poverty, and specific cultural and social factors affecting development.

Question 9

Birth Rate

Answer 9

The number of live births per 1,000 people per year.

Sometimes referred to as CBR (crude birth rate)

Question 10

Death Rate

Answer 10

The number of deaths per 1,000 people per year.

Sometimes referred to as CDR (crude death rate)

Question 11

Fertility Rate

Answer 11

The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime.

Question 12

Life Expectancy

Answer 12

The average number of years a person is expected to live based on current mortality rates.

Question 13

Infant Mortality

Answer 13

The number of deaths of infants under one year old per 1,000 live births.

“Child mortality” by comparison is children under 5 years old.

Diarrheal diseases are biggest culprit

Question 14

Natural Increase (NIR)

Answer 14

The difference between the birth rate and the death rate of a population.
(Excludes Population)

Question 15

Doubling Time

Answer 15

The number of years it takes for a population to double in size.

70 divided by NIR

Question 16

Replacement Rate

Answer 16

The total fertility rate at which a population exactly replaces itself from one generation to the next, typically around 2.1 children per woman.

Question 17

Reasons for higher birth rate in LEDCs

Answer 17

Higher child mortality rates, economic benefits of larger families, lack of access to contraception, and cultural or religious factors.

Question 18

Reasons for lower birth rate in MEDCs

Answer 18

Higher cost of living, greater access to family planning, higher female participation in the workforce, and lifestyle preferences.

Question 19

Immigration vs emigration

Answer 19

Immigration is moving into a country
Emigration is moving away from a country.

Note that immigration has a double “m”, whereas emigration is just one.

Question 20

Countries where the death rate exceeds the birth rate

Answer 20

Japan, Germany, and Italy.

Leads to a declining (and ageing) population

Question 21

Reasons global fertility rate has decreased in last century

Answer 21

Improved access to contraception, higher female education and employment, urbanization, and changes in societal values.

Question 22

Reasons why life expectancy has increased in the last century

Answer 22

Advances in medical technology, improved healthcare access, better nutrition, and enhanced sanitation.

Question 23

Relationship between urbanization and fertility rate

Answer 23

Urbanization (rural urban migration) tends to lower fertility rates due to higher living costs, better access to education and employment for women, and greater availability of family planning services

Question 24

Demography (also demographer, demographic)

Answer 24

the statistical study of populations, including the structure, distribution, and trends in size and composition, and the factors influencing these dynamics such as births, deaths, migration, and aging.

Question 25

Population pyramid

Answer 25

Also called an age/sex pyramid A graphical illustration that shows the distribution of various age groups in a population, typically separated by gender.

Question 26

Demographic Transition Model

Answer 26

Abbreviated as DTM (don't call it DMT by accident) A theoretical model that describes the transition from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates as a country develops.

Question 27

Features of an LEDC population pyramid

Answer 27

Broad base indicating high birth rates, and narrow top indicating lower life expectancy.

Question 28

Features of an MEDC population pyramid

Answer 28

Narrow base indicating lower birth rates, wider middle and top indicating higher life expectancy and aging population.

Question 29

DTM Stage 1

Answer 29

Characterized by high birth and death rates, resulting in a relatively stable and low population growth.

Question 30

DTM Stage 2

Answer 30

Marked by high birth rates and rapidly declining death rates, leading to a significant increase in population.

Question 30

DTM Stage 3

Answer 30

Birth rates begin to decline, death rates continue to fall, resulting in a slower rate of population growth.

Question 31

DTM Stage 4

Answer 31

Both birth and death rates are low, leading to a stable population with a high proportion of elderly people.

Question 32

DTM Stage 5

Answer 32

Characterized by very low birth rates, low death rates, and an aging population, potentially leading to a declining population.

Question 33

Dependency

Answer 33

The reliance of non-working age population (children and elderly) on the working-age population for support.

Question 34

Dependency Ratio

Answer 34

A measure comparing the number of dependents (aged 0-14 and 65+) to the working-age population (aged 15-64).

Question 35

Pre-reproductive, reproductive and post reproductive

Answer 35

Categories that can be used in conjunction with a population pyramid to predict future patterns in population growth/development

Question 36

Criticisms (limitations) of Demographic Transition Model

Answer 36

Assumes linear progression through stages. Eurocentrism: may not adequately represent demographic transitions in other regions The model disregards cultural and social factors that can influence fertility rates and population dynamics, such as religious beliefs and gender norms. Doesn't fully account for modern factors like globalization, urbanization, and advancements in healthcare and technology. Within each stage of the model, there can be significant variation in trends

Question 37

Criticisms (limitations) of Population Pyramids

Answer 37

Can oversimplify age structures Can fail to account for migration Represent a snapshot in time Difficult to predict change if population trends are non-linear

Question 38

Thomas Malthus

Answer 38

18th century, British theorized that population growth would outpace food production, leading to widespread famine.

Question 39

Esther Boserup

Answer 39

Danish economist (20th century) Argued that agricultural innovation would increase with population pressure, countering Malthusian predictions.

Question 40

Malthusian Catastrophe

Answer 40

A (theoretical?) situation where population growth outstrips agricultural production, resulting in famine, disease, and widespread mortality.

Question 41

Anti-natal policies

Answer 41

Policies aimed at reducing birth rates through measures such as family planning, contraception, and incentives for smaller families.

Question 42

Pro-natal policies

Answer 42

Policies designed to encourage higher birth rates by providing benefits and support to families with children.

Question 43

One Child Policy

Answer 43

A policy implemented by China from 1979 to 2015 to limit most families to one child to control population growth.

Question 44

Benefits of One Child Policy

Answer 44

Slowed population growth, reduced strain on resources, and economic gains from a smaller, more manageable population.

Question 45

Criticisms of One Child Policy

Answer 45

Gender imbalances, aging population issues, and negative social consequences such as forced abortions and fines.

Question 46

Millennium Development Goals

Answer 46

Eight international development goals established by the United Nations in 2000, aimed at reducing poverty, improving health, and promoting sustainable development by 2015.

Question 47

Policies to manage an ageing population

Answer 47

- increasing retirement age, - promoting higher fertility rates, - attracting immigrant workers