Geography Notes
Chapter 1: Population dynamics
The population boomed in the 1960’s. (population explosion) since death rates fell rapidly due
to tremendous advances in medical care and the supply of clean water and sanitation.
Population of the planet today is 7.1 billion.
The natural increase or decrease of population depends on the difference between the birth
and death rate. (rate of natural increase)
The carrying capacity is the maximum number of people the earth can support.
Demographic momentum is when the earth’s population is stable even though the birth rate is
falling.
Pop growth = total pop/1000 x rate of natural change
Population density = pop/area
Niger has the highest birth rate in the world while Russia has the highest death rate.
After the Second World War, more women joined the workforce thus delaying having children –
aided by the availability of contraceptive pill.
Having children became a financial burden thus in countries like Italy and Sweden, the birth
rates are decreasing. (MEDC)
Agriculture machinery replaced the need to have many children to work on farms. (LEDC)
Factors affecting fertility
o Demographic: The infant mortality rate (number of deaths of children under a year
old/1000 live births in a year) in LEDCs the rate is very high so parents have more
children to compensate for the expected deaths.
o Social/Culture: in African countries, tradition demands high rates of reproduction. In
Muslim and Roman Catholic religions oppose artificial birth control.
o Economic: LEDCs consider children as assets (more hands on farm) while in MEDCs it is a
financial burden (health, education, housing, nutrition)
o Political: interventionists governments offer inducements for having larger families but
today governments like in China are trying to decrease their population by having
policies such as the one child policy.
Reasons for falling death rates
o Availability of vaccines
o Access to clean water and proper sanitation
o Better diet and lifestyle, better education
o Access to food supplies (in wealthier areas there are lower death rates)
Russia has a higher death rate as the country has problems with alcoholism and smoking.
In the US obesity is also likely to result in higher incidences of heart disease.
Chapter 1: Population dynamics
The population boomed in the 1960’s. (population explosion) since death rates fell rapidly due
to tremendous advances in medical care and the supply of clean water and sanitation.
Population of the planet today is 7.1 billion.
The natural increase or decrease of population depends on the difference between the birth
and death rate. (rate of natural increase)
The carrying capacity is the maximum number of people the earth can support.
Demographic momentum is when the earth’s population is stable even though the birth rate is
falling.
Pop growth = total pop/1000 x rate of natural change
Population density = pop/area
Niger has the highest birth rate in the world while Russia has the highest death rate.
After the Second World War, more women joined the workforce thus delaying having children –
aided by the availability of contraceptive pill.
Having children became a financial burden thus in countries like Italy and Sweden, the birth
rates are decreasing. (MEDC)
Agriculture machinery replaced the need to have many children to work on farms. (LEDC)
Factors affecting fertility
o Demographic: The infant mortality rate (number of deaths of children under a year
old/1000 live births in a year) in LEDCs the rate is very high so parents have more
children to compensate for the expected deaths.
o Social/Culture: in African countries, tradition demands high rates of reproduction. In
Muslim and Roman Catholic religions oppose artificial birth control.
o Economic: LEDCs consider children as assets (more hands on farm) while in MEDCs it is a
financial burden (health, education, housing, nutrition)
o Political: interventionists governments offer inducements for having larger families but
today governments like in China are trying to decrease their population by having
policies such as the one child policy.
Reasons for falling death rates
o Availability of vaccines
o Access to clean water and proper sanitation
o Better diet and lifestyle, better education
o Access to food supplies (in wealthier areas there are lower death rates)
Russia has a higher death rate as the country has problems with alcoholism and smoking.
In the US obesity is also likely to result in higher incidences of heart disease.
