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Population. Basic Demography. Population. Describe global population distribution Examine causes and consequences of population change To understand the Malthusian argument To describe demographic and economic characteristics of a population To understand the Demographic Transition
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Population Basic Demography
Population • Describe global population distribution • Examine causes and consequences of population change • To understand the Malthusian argument • To describe demographic and economic characteristics of a population • To understand the Demographic Transition • To describe the baby boom • Understanding economic migration
Population Growth over Time and Space • World population growth is slowing • Still adding ca. 80 million per year • Most in developing countries • Some countries are losing population (Russia, E. Europe, coming in Japan) • Forces affecting population change ∆P = BR – DR + I – O or ∆P = NGR +NMR
Fertility & Mortality: in 2002:US crude birthrate = 15/1000,crude death rate = 9/1000, natural growth rate = 6/1000 or 0.6%
Malthusian Theory • Assumed that human populations would continue to grow geometrically • And assumed that food production would grow arithmetically, due to diminishing marginal returns (or less than arithmetically) arithmetic Diminishing returns Output Inputs
Malthus’ Expectations & Reality • Failed to see impact of Industrial Revolution on Food production • Failed to see the opening of new lands • (especially in the new world) • Failed to anticipate falling fertility rates
Demographic Transition Theory • Based on West European & N. Am. History
Stages in Demographic Transition Theory • Stage 1: Preindustrial Society – high and unstable birth & death rates, population growth rate slow, importance of children, low life expectancy • Stage 2: Early Industrial Society - high birth rates, falling death rate, high population growth • Stage 3: Late Industrial Society – low death rate, falling birth rate, high population growth • Stage 4: Post Industrial Society – low birth and death rates, low population growth
Geography of Birth RatesStrongly correlated with level of economic development
Shifting Causes of Death • Stage 1 – Poor Health Care • Stage 2 – Lower infant mortality rates with better diet and improvements in health care (Figure 3.18) • Stage 3 – similar to Stage 2 • Stage 4 – Few deaths from infectious diseases, more from social malaise (Figures 3.21 and 3.22). Some countries below ZPG
Contrasts between Malthus and the Demographic Transition • Fertility is socially constructed, not taken for granted • Population does not grow uncontrollably, but rather stabilizes at a slow growth rate as birth and death rates fall • However, absolute population growth is still large (ca. 80 million per annum) due to the large base (current 6+ billion) • Total future population depends on fertility rate trends in less developed regions (Figure 3.28)
Criticisms of Demographic Transition Theory • Based on Western societies (Europe, North America, Japan) • Not inevitable that there will be a fall in fertility rates in less developed countries • Even with dramatically lowered fertility rates • We cannot predict the length of time it will take these countries to move from Stages 2 and 3 to Stage 4 (if they do)