Population growth Flashcards
(23 cards)
What was the world population in 1 AD and in 2023?
300 million in 1 AD; 8 billion in 2023.
Which region is expected to drive most of the future population growth?
Sub-Saharan Africa.
What trend is occurring in many countries regarding population size?
A growing number are experiencing population decline due to low fertility and high emigration.
What is the main driver of global population trends?
Fertility rates.
What was global life expectancy in 2019?
72.6 years.
What is the potential support ratio?
The number of working-age people per person aged 65 or older.
What happens first in the demographic transition: mortality or fertility decline?
Mortality declines first, followed by fertility.
What is the long-term outcome of the demographic transition?
Low fertility, long life expectancy, and an ageing population.
What is the mortality transition?
A persistent decline in mortality, starting in Europe around 1800.
What is the fertility transition?
Decline in fertility due to improved child survival and parental investment in fewer children.
What does Becker’s economic model of fertility suggest?
Higher income and education increase the cost of children, leading to lower fertility.
What is the child support ratio?
Working-age adults per child.
What is the old-age support ratio?
Working-age adults per elderly person.
What happens in the third phase of demographic transition?
Population ageing increases the old-age dependency ratio.
What did Malthus (1798) argue about population growth?
It leads to lower wages and food shortages unless offset by technological progress.
What do optimists like Kuznets and Hirschman argue?
Population growth can drive innovation and economies of scale.
What is the demographic dividend?
Economic growth potential from a large working-age population.
What is a major challenge for developing countries?
Ageing before becoming rich.
What policies are needed to benefit from the demographic dividend?
Investment in jobs and education.
What reforms are needed for ageing populations?
Healthcare systems and social security adjustments.
What is the externality argument for fertility reduction?
Parents may not internalise the full social cost of having children.
How does the tragedy of the commons apply to fertility?
Public services become congested due to high fertility.
How does incomplete information affect fertility?
Lack of contraception knowledge leads to higher-than-desired fertility.
