Chapter 15 An Introduction to the Study of Population

1. Chapter 15An Introduction to the Study of Population Page 194; #s 1, 4, 5, 7

2. #1b) Define the following: birth rate, death rate, immigration rate, and emigration rate.

3. #1b) Describe, with the help of a numerical example different from the one in Fig. 16-1, how these four factors contribute to the rate at which a country’s population grows

4. #4a) What is the rule of 70? (also, sometimes called 72) The rule of 70 allows us to calculate the number of years that will be needed for a population to double in size. This is done by dividing 70 by the population growth rate (as a percent). http://www.rw.ttu.edu/2302_butler/images/growth_rate_map.jpg

5. #4b) Why is the rule of 70 so useful? The rule of 70 is useful since it allows governments and industry to plan for the future. The more quickly a population doubles the more people there, the younger the population will be, and the more jobs must be created. Thus, government must take steps to provide those jobs and industry to supply goods for the extra population.

6. #4c) How long would it take for a population to double with each of the following growth rates? i- 70/0.5 = 140 years ii- 70/1.0 = 70 years iii- 70/1.5 = 47 years iv- 70/2.0 = 35 years v- 70/2.5 = 23 years http://zebu.uoregon.edu/2003/es202/jcurve.jpg

7. #4d) Does the rule of 70 apply to a negative population growth rate? Explain your answer using Russia’s population growth rate of -0.4%. Russia’s population growth rate is -0.4% 70/-0.4 = -175 years Since it is impossible to have negative years, the rule of 70 does not apply to negative population growth rates.

8. #5a) What is a population’s dependency load? A population’s dependency load is made up of those groups of people who pay fewer taxes because they are not actively participating in the working population. These people tend to be found in two age groupings 0 to 14 & 65+ years of age. (Yes Adam … this one’s for you!)

9. #5b) Describe why this would be a useful concept for a; Government planner In a younger population a government planner will have to encourage the construction of schools, daycare services, maternity hospitals etc... In an older population a government planner will have to encourage the construction of community centres, retirement homes, geriatric hospitals, etc... Bank Manager In a younger population a bank manager will concentrate on providing mortgage services for young families looking to buy their first homes. In an older population a bank manager will focus on investment and retirement services.

10. #5c) Consider the ages used in determining the dependency load for a developed country such as Canada, do they accurately describe the dependent population? Why or why not? At the younger end, the dependency load is fairly accurate since it is not until the years 15 to 19 that most teens, in Canada, find their first part-time job and begin paying taxes with their money. At the older end the dependency load is less accurate since many people are deciding to work past the age of 65, sometimes because of necessity and sometimes because they do not wish to retire. These people continue to pay taxes which help to support Canadian society.

11. #7a) Your parents may be part of the baby boom. Why has this generation had such an enormous influence on Canada’s society since the 1950s? Since the Baby Boom represents such a large number of people in Canadian society everything has been focussed on them for many years; The B.B. represents so many votes that politicians try to win their votes by promising services to the B.B. The B.B. has so much money that companies focus many products on them in an attempt to convince the B.B. to spend some of that money.

12. #7b) Is this influence likely to continue? This influence will continue for as long as they are the largest group in Canadian society. Since most B.B. are only now beginning to retire, we can expect to see many products and services aimed at this older age group for some time to come.

13. #7c) What effect has the baby boom had on your generation? How will it affect your generation in the future? By 2020 most of the B.B. will be approaching 70 years of age . They will need many social services to care for them; - geriatric hospitals - retirement homes - social workers to help the B.B. to stay in their houses for as long as possible. All of these services will require tax dollars which you and I will have to provide (mostly you however, since I will be on the verge of retirement …nyah, nyah, nyah, nyah, nyah, nyah!). This is why immigration is important if Canada’s economy is to continue growing and the tax burden on the working population is lowered. http://www.internetmonk.com/wp-content/uploads/Opus.jpeg