Post on 18-May-2015
IGCSE Population
Review and Revision
40 slides, 20 minutes; sit back and enjoy…..
Population Distribution• Population distribution – the spread of the
population, where people live.
• Population density – the number of people per km squared.
• Densely populated – an area with a high number of people per km squared.
• Sparsely populated – an area where the number of people per km squared is low.
Population Distribution• Where people live?• Why they live there (what
are the human and physical factors that explain population density and distribution)?
• A densely populated area of the world is Europe?
• A sparsely populated area of the world is Amazonia.
Population Change
The Population FormulaNatural Population Change = Birth Rate (BR) – Death Rate (DR)
The Demographic Transition Model
• This is a model which shows population change (births, deaths and natural change) over time.
• A model is a simplified version of reality.• The demographic transition model suggests all
countries go through 4 (or 5) stages of population change.
• The demographic transition model can be used to predict short and long term population changes.
Population Pyramids
• Population pyramids show the population structure for an area or country in terms of age and sex ratios.
• The pyramid is useful because it helps us to predict short and long term population changes.
Mozambique – An LEDC
The UK – An MEDC
Population Explosion
Individual Decisions
This explosion occurred largely in LEDCs and results from millions of individual decisions that are influenced by the characteristics of
the places people live.
LEDC Population Trends and Issues
High birth rates and falling death rates leading to rapid population growth –
the population explosionYouthful populations
• Children needed as workers and to look after parents when they are older.
• Infant mortality rates are high, so high birth rates compensate for this.
• It is hoped children will grow up`, move to the city and get a good job, then send money home.
• Religion often forbids the use of birth control.• Having a big family increase peoples status and
importance in their village.• People (women) do not have access to
EDUCATION and contraception
Why traditionally are BRs high in LEDCs?
Why did death rates fall in LEDCs?• Improved health care as knowledge,
technology and medicines are imported from MEDCs.
• Cleaner and safer drinking water, again as systems are imported from more developed countries.
• Better diets as more food is grown, often as a result of improved farming techniques developed in MEDCs.
• All leads to better living conditions and less disease which results in people living longer and falling death rates.
Youthful Populations
Death rate maybe be falling in LEDCs but life expectancy is still low – the
result when combined with high BR is a youthful population
• Lack of food and famine cause early death in many people.
• The spread of disease, for example cholera that comes from drinking dirty water, causes many deaths.
• Health care and hospitals are poor and often difficult to access.
Why is life expectancy low in LEDCs?
YouthfulPopulation Pyramid
Overpopulation Issues
Overgrazing and Overcultivation
As seen in the Sahel region of Africa including Darfur in western Sudan
Deforestation and Soil erosion
Again think Mato Grosso, Amazonia (Brazil) the Sahel (Darfur)
Overcrowding and the growth of Shanty Towns
Favelas in Brazil (Rio de Janeiro)
Busties in India, e.g. Mumbai
Slums in Jakarta
Pollution and Waste
• Water pollution for example from human waste (villages in Bangladesh)
• Land pollution for example from farming (Mato Grosso, Brazil).
• Air pollution for example from increased car use (think Rio).
• Waste – see the Rio favela photo above
Traffic CongestionAnd Rio once again – think of the road to Barra
Crime and Lawlessness
Other Problems
• Shortage of resources, food and raw materials.• Unemployment and underemployment.• Lack of money for basic health care and
schooling.• Rising crime, political coups and huge debts.• Low living standards and a lack of development.
Youthful PopulationsMany young people (with a high youthful
dependency ratio) puts pressure on schools, taxes, families; and exacerbates problems
associated with rapid population growth and over population in LEDCS – this can hinder
development
What are the sustainable management solutions?
Anti-natalist population policies and strategies
• Tanzania case study
• Kerela, India case study
• China, One Child Policy case study
• North Africa case study
Disease – HIV/AIDS• In many LEDCs disease is another demographic
factor that has significant implications.• In Africa there are an estimated 30 million infected
with HIV, in India and China rates of infection arte growing.
• What are the social, economic, environmental and political impacts of HIV/AIDS?
• What can countries and the international community do about HIV/AIDS?
• You should have detailed information including a country specific case study from your AIDS report.
MEDC Population Trends and Issues
Ageing population in MEDCs result from long life expectancies, low fertility
rates and the legacy of the post-war baby boom
Why is life expectancy long?
• Top quality health care with well trained doctors, high-technology equipment and advanced medicines
• Access to clean water and high levels of sanitation (such as sewage) – reduces the spread of disease
• Food supply is plentiful and levels of hunger and malnutrition are low
• People’s working lives are often office based which can be healthier and involves a reduced risk of accidents
Why are fertility rates low?
• Female education and emancipation are key as women then become involved in the decision making process
• Education about, and access and availability of, contraception
• Urbanization leading to reduced requirement for children as farm workers
• Increased perception of children as financial burden
Post-war Baby Boom
Example case studies where the issues of an ageing population are happening now.
Italy, UK, Germany, (western Europe), Japan, South Korea
Maybe even China???
Ageing Population Pyramid
Ageing Populations in MEDCs
Problems and Issues• Declining economically
active population and high (old age) dependency ratio
• Pressure on the pensions system
• Great demand for services such as hospitals, care homes, public transport
• Pressure on the housing sector with many old couples occupying large family homes
Opportunities• Tourism and other grey
Euro opportunities• A place in the sun and
impact on southern European hosing sectors
• Availability of skilled, experienced and “wise” people in labour force
• Availability of wiling part-time workers
• Reduced demand for schools and child care services
What are the sustainable management solutions?
• Pro-natalist population policies (e.g. France)
• Encouraged immigration (UK and Italy although policies changing regularly)
• Raising retirement ages (currently gone up to 67 from 65 in UK)
• Forcing people to have private pensions and not rely on state (Slovakia’s 2nd tier)
Completing the formula - MigrationPopulation change within an
area needs to consider both natural change (BR-DR) and migration (add
those who move in and subtract those who move out)
Migration Case Studies
• Economic migration – Mexico to the USA
• Forced migration – Darfur (Sudan) internally displace people and refugees
• Rural to urban migration – urbanization in Brazil and the growth of mega-cities such as Rio de Janeiro
Migration Case Studies
• Headline facts and figures – when, where, how many?
• Reasons – push (e.g. poor living conditions) and pull (e.g. better paid work with opportunities for career development) factors
• Impacts – on area of origin AND are of destination (positive, such as supply of cheap labour or remittances, and negative, such as impacts on origin population structures or exploitation)
• Long term sustainable management attempts e.g. wall on US border vs. better managed temporary work visas