Population (Copy)

5.3.1 The Factors That Affect Population Growth

• Population Growth is determined by changes in the number of people within a country.
• The main factors:

Birth Rate (BR)

• The number of live births per 1000 people per year.
• Higher BR → faster population growth.
• Influenced by:
  • Fertility levels
  • Cultural/religious beliefs (encouraging large families)
  • Availability of contraception
  • Education levels (especially of women)
  • Economic conditions (poor families may have more children for labour support)
  • Government policies (e.g. China’s one-child policy vs. pro-natalist policies in France).

Death Rate (DR)

• The number of deaths per 1000 people per year.
• Lower DR → faster population growth.
• Influenced by:
  • Healthcare quality
  • Nutrition and sanitation
  • Wars or natural disasters
  • Average life expectancy
  • Aging population (more elderly increases DR).

Net Migration

• Difference between immigration (moving into a country) and emigration (moving out).
• Positive net migration → population rises.
• Negative net migration → population falls.
• Driven by:
  • Job opportunities abroad
  • Political stability/instability
  • Climate change and natural disasters
  • Education prospects.

Diagram: Factors of population growth

Population Growth =
  (Births - Deaths) + (Immigration - Emigration)

5.3.2 Reasons for Different Rates of Population Growth in Different Countries

• Developed (High-Income) Countries (HICs):
  • Low Birth Rates due to:
    • Widespread contraception.
    • High female education and employment.
    • Expensive cost of raising children.
    • Urban lifestyles (less need for large families).
  • Low Death Rates due to:
    • Advanced healthcare.
    • High living standards.
  • Population growth is slow or declining.
  • Example: Japan, Germany.
• Developing (Low-Income) Countries (LICs):
  • High Birth Rates due to:
    • Limited access to contraception.
    • Cultural preference for large families.
    • Children seen as economic assets.
  • Falling Death Rates due to:
    • Improvements in healthcare and sanitation.
    • Better food supply.
  • Population growth is rapid.
  • Example: Nigeria, Pakistan.
• Emerging Middle-Income Countries (MICs):
  • Falling Birth Rates due to modernization.
  • Moderate Death Rates with improved healthcare.
  • Population growth is slowing but still positive.
  • Example: Brazil, India.

Diagram: Population growth pattern across development

LIC → High BR, falling DR → Rapid growth
MIC → Falling BR, low DR → Moderate growth
HIC → Low BR, low DR → Slow/negative growth

5.3.3 The Effects of Changes in the Size and Structure of Population on Different Countries

Optimum Population Concept

• Optimum population: population size that maximizes output per head and economic welfare.
• If population is:
  • Too high (overpopulation): resources stretched, poverty increases.
  • Too low (underpopulation): resources underused, labour shortages.

Effects of Increasing Population Size

• Advantages:
  • Larger labour force → more production.
  • Larger domestic market → economies of scale.
  • Potential for innovation and dynamism.
• Disadvantages:
  • Pressure on resources (food, housing, water).
  • Overcrowding, unemployment.
  • Environmental damage.

Effects of Decreasing Population Size

• Advantages:
  • Less strain on housing and natural resources.
  • Easier to maintain higher living standards.
• Disadvantages:
  • Smaller labour force → shortages in key industries.
  • Higher dependency ratio → elderly care burden.
  • Slower economic growth.

Age and Gender Distribution (Population Structure)

• Young population:
  • Large share under 15.
  • Strains education, healthcare, and housing.
  • But future labour force potential is high.
  • Example: Many African countries.
• Aging population:
  • Large share over 65.
  • Higher pension and healthcare costs.
  • Labour shortages.
  • May require immigration to balance workforce.
  • Example: Japan, Italy.

Population Pyramids (Interpretation Required)

1. Expanding Pyramid (LICs – rapid growth):
   • Wide base (high BR).
   • Narrow top (low life expectancy).

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2. Stable Pyramid (MICs – slow growth):
   • Narrower base.
   • More balanced middle and top.

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3. Contracting Pyramid (HICs – aging/decline):
   • Narrow base (low BR).
   • Wider top (aging population).

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