Bangladesh

Question 1

Geographic characteristics of Bangladesh

Answer 1

• relatively small country in Southern Asia located between India and Burma
• It has a small land mans of only 144,000km^2, approximately 0.02% the size of Australia
• 90% of its land has an average elevation of 10m
• due to its relative location, it is prone to cyclones and flooding

Question 2

Population characteristics

Answer 2

• In 2014 population was around 166 million making it the 8th most populous nation
• In 2014 it was the most densely populated country in the world with 1175 people per sqkm as opposed to Australia’s 2.9
• currently ranked 140 out of 177 on the HDI
• Population estimated to reach 260 million by 2050
• Agrarian population with 80% of people living in rural areas

Question 3

Population structure: GROWING POPULATION

Answer 3

• since independence from Pakistan in 1971, population has increased 2.5 times
• Total dependancy ratio is 52.2% as opposed to Australia’s 51%
• Primary difference is that youth dependancy in Bangladesh is 44.9% as opposed to Australia 28.9%

Question 4

Life expectancy

Answer 4

• Since independence from Pakistan in 1971, life expectancy has increased from 47.8 years, to 70.6 years
• Death rate has improved from 19.2 to 5.4/1000 people
• Birth rate has improved from 47 to 18.8/1000 people

Question 5

Fertility rates

Answer 5

Total fertility rates improved from 6.5-7 babies, to meet the global average of 2.45 babies per woman

Question 6

Infant/child mortality rates

Answer 6

• Current infant mortality rate of 45.7/1000 live births

- Current child (U5) mortality rate of 41/1000 live births

Question 7

Factors influencing change: social

Answer 7

• females stay at school longer
• females get married later
• uptake in levels of contraception
• general improvements in women rights, more jobs etc
• vaccination rates increased dramatically, 0-93% for measles

Question 8

Factors influencing change: economic

Answer 8

Large factories have established factories providing jobs

GDP per capita increased

Question 9

Factors influencing change: political

Answer 9

since independence, govt have introduced policy relating to health, education and fertility levels, to increase direct foreign investment
basic spending decisions have improved living standards

Question 10

Factors influencing change: environmental

Answer 10

urbanisation trends

green revolution providing new agricultural techniques

Question 11

Impacts of growing population: Environmental

Answer 11

Excessive growth in urban areas:
poor sanitation 
increased congestion 
poor education attendance rates (18%)
increased rate of formation of slums 
poor nutrition

Question 12

Impacts of growing population: sociopolitical/economic

Answer 12

Relocation of people away from Bangladesh due to the perceived psychological distance at which people think that work is better overseas
7 million Bangladeshis working overseas at any one time
leads to economic ‘brain drain’
80% of the 5000 students who seek overseas education do not return

Question 13

National response: 5 Year Plan(s)

Answer 13

• First implemented in 1973 and stated that no civilised measure would e too drastic to keep population below 150 million
• National family planning program was introduced as well as a motivational campaign to promote the benefits of a two child norm
• There have been 7 five year plans, successive plans have focused on home visitation to reduce fertility rates

Question 14

5 Year Plans Evaluation

Answer 14

Relatively successful, as in the years it been in operation, birth rate has fallen from