INTRODUCTION TO POPULATION GEOGRAPHY

SEPTEMBER 22, 2014

WHAT IS POPULATION GEOGRAPHY?

• Population Geography focuses on the number, composition, and distribution of human beings on the earth’s surface• Population geographers are interested in

population changes-both growth and movement-especially as they relate to the earth’s environment and natural resources

WHY STUDY POPULATION GEOGRAPHY?

• The study of population geography is critically important for three reasons:1. More people are alive at this time-more than 7

billion-than at any point in Earth’s history2. The world’s population increased at a faster rate

during the second half of the twentieth century than ever before in history

3. Virtually all global population growth is concentrated in less developed countries

OVERPOPULATION

• Geographers argue that the world’s so-called overpopulation problem is not simply a matter of the total number of people on Earth, but the relationship between the number of people and the availability of resources.• Problems result when an area’s population

exceeds the capacity of the environment to support them at an acceptable standard of living.

POPULATION STATISTICS

• All population theories rest on an understanding of these basic concepts:• Crude Birth Rate: the number of live births in a given

year for every thousand people in a population • Crude Death Rate (also called the mortality rate): the

number of deaths in a given year for every thousand people in a population

• Life expectancy: the number of years that a child can expect to live, given current mortality rates

POPULATION STATISTICS

• Total fertility rate: the average number of children a woman will have throughout her childbearing years

• Infant mortality rate: the number of deaths among infants under one year of age for each 1,000 live births

• Natural increase: the difference between the number of births and the number of deaths during a specific period

THE DEMOGRAPHIC TRANSITION MODEL

DEMOGRAPHY

• All countries have experienced changes in natural increase, fertility, and mortality rates, but their pattern vary considerably• According to the Demographic Transition Theory,

these changes occur in stages according to levels of technological advancements• Demography is the study of population

THE DEMOGRAPHIC TRANSITION MODEL

The "Demographic Transition" is a model that describes population change over time. It  is based on an interpretation begun in 1929 by the American demographer Warren Thompson, of the observed changes, or transitions, in birth and death rates in industrialized societies over the past two hundred years or so.

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

STAGE 1 (LOW GROWTH):

• This stage is preindustrial, and characterized by high birthrates and high death rates and low population growth• Children are seen as economic assets as they provide a

steady supply of labor• Death rates are high because of low standards of living

and little medical technology• The natural increase rate is close to 0• The Earth’s population was in this stage until the mid-

1700’s

STAGE 2 (HIGH GROWTH)

• This stage is industrial, and characterized by high birth rates, low death rates, and high population growth• Children are still seen as economic assets• Death rates are low due to access to medical technology,

and a steady food supply• Many Less Developed Countries are still in this stage and

see high population growth• The Earth’s population was in this stage until the I800’s

STAGE 3 (MODERATE GROWTH)

• This stage is a mature industrial economy when the birth rate drops, curbing population once again. This stage is characterized by low birth rates, low death rates, and low population growth.• The birth rate is low because more women are educated

and work outside the home• Children are seen as economic liabilities• Women delay marriage and having children• Death rates remain low

STAGE 4 (LOW GROWTH)

• This stage is post-industrial, and characterized by extremely low or even negative birthrates, low death rates, and low or negative population growth• Birthrates are low or negative as women seek higher

education• Women delay marriage and having children even longer

than in Stage 3• Medical technology is at the most advanced stage,

increasing life expectancy• Countries might experience negative population growth

HOW MANY CHILDREN WILL YOU HAVE?

BABY-O-MATIC QUIZ

WANT TO KNOW HOW MANY CHILDREN YOU WILL HAVE? TAKE THE

BABY-O-MATIC QUIZ!

1. Family LifeA. I never to marryB. When I marry, both I and my spouse will share the

important decisionsC. When I marry, only the man in the couple will make

important decisions

2. EducationA. I don’t know how to read, and I don’t expect I’ll ever

learnB. I know how to read, but I do not expect to graduate

from high schoolC. I will definitely finish high school, and may continue my

formal education

3. Social SecurityA. When I grow old, or am unable to work, I expect my

family to provide for meB. I hope to rely on my personal savings, when I grow old,

or am unable to workC. When I grow old, or am unable to work, the

government will take care of me

4. Status SymbolsA. I believe that the position I hold in the workforce, and

the money I accumulate in life are the most important gauges of how successful I have been

B. A large family is more important to me that a successful career

C. My status in the workforce is important to me, but family is equally important

5. Time and Money ManagementA. Raising children takes a lot of time and money, and I

would rather be doing other things with those resources

B. Raising children may be expensive, but it is something I want to do with my life

C. My children will be very useful to me as workers, and will help support the family

6. HealthA. If I have children, I’d expect them to have long, full

livesB. If I have children, there is a good chance that they

wouldn’t live very long

7. Personal beliefsA. I have been taught that my responsibility in life is to

have as many children as I can, and I intend to do just that

B. I believe that no one should tell me how many children I should have. That decision is for me and my spouse to make

C. I believe that the world just has too many people, and we’d all be better off if there were fewer

8. TimingA. I’d like to be a parent by the time I turn 20B. If I’m not a parent by the time I’m 40, no problemC. I’d like to be a parent by the time I turn 35

RESULTS

Give yourself points as follows:

1. A: 1, B: 2, C: 32. A: 3, B: 3, C: 23. A: 3, B: 2, C: 24. A: 1, B: 3, C: 25. A: 1, B: 2, C: 36. A: 2, B: 37. A: 3, B: 2, C: 18. A: 3, B: 1, C: 2

Your score:• 11: 0 Children

• 12-14: 1 child

• 15-17: 2 children

• 18: 3 children

• 19-24: 4 or more

children