The Effects of Rapid Population Growth

We are learning to… Interpret a population pyramid Describe BRs and DRs in countries with a rapidly growing population Describe the problems associated with countries with a rapid population growth Describe the benefits for countries with a rapid population growth

I can… Draw and explain the shape of a population pyramid Explain the consequences of a rapidly growing population Give examples of measures taken by some countries to slow their population growth

The population pyramid displays the age POPULATION STRUCTURE The population pyramid displays the age and sex structure of a country or given area OLD DEPENDANTS ECONOMICALLY ACTIVE YOUNG DEPENDANTS Population in Five Year Age bands FEMALES To the right MALES To the left Usually, but not always, In % to make for easier comparisons between countries

What Population Pyramids Show Us KEY Economically More Developed Country Economically Less Developed Country slope of pyramid indicate the death rate width of the base is related to birth rate/fertility rate proportions of men and women can suggest male or female migrations height of graph can indicate life expectancy (ignore the very thin end of the wedge as occurs on graph B as these people are a definite minority) "kinks" indicate dramatic reductions in birth rate or increases in death rate in the past area of graph indicates total population - compare areas of different population age groups or different sex on one graph The overall shape of the population pyramid can indicate whether it is an Economically More Developed Country or Economically Less Developed Country

Task One Using the template provided, draw a population pyramid to show this information: Age Group Males (1000s) Females (1000s) 80+ 20 40 70-79 60 80 60-69 120 110 50-59 140 40-49 180 220 30-39 170 280 20-29 270 310 10-19 380 350 0-9 330 Colour the bars differently for males and females

Population Structure – in many developing countries birth rates are higher than death rates and the population is rising rapidly

There are many children because the birth rate is high As much as half the population is under 15 years There are few of working age – high death rate and many children didn’t survive to adulthood For the same reason, there are very few old people

Advantages of rapid growth: A country becomes more powerful and less vulnerable to attack as they have a large number of people in the armed forces More people to work – increasing production on farms and in factories More workers means wage rates are lower – this attracts international companies

Disadvantages of rapid growth: In rural areas farms are becoming smaller and they need to be farmed more intensively – this makes the soil poorer More trees are being cut down to provide fuel, building materials and to create more land for farming This in turn allows the soil to be blown away or washed away - the land becomes even more infertile, fewer crops grow, the people become poor and hungry and many move to cities

Disadvantages of rapid growth: In urban areas population is increasing even more rapidly due to the immigrants from the countryside There aren’t enough houses for everyone so people build their own shacks which lack even basic amenities such as toilets and water supply There are not enough jobs for everyone so unemployment is high and crime increases Traffic congestion worsens, schools and hospitals are overcrowded

Controlling rapid growth Laws limiting family size Provide information on how to reduce births Educate females Provide opportunities for abortion and sterilisation Give incentives to limit family size

Task Two Answer the following questions: Describe birth and death rates in countries with a rapidly growing population Describe the problems faced by a country with many young people and few adults Make a list of the advantages of a rapidly growing population Explain why a rapidly growing population leads to a) poor soils b) emigration from the countryside to cities Describe three problems that cities in developing countries face because of a rapidly growing population Which three methods of reducing birth rates do you think will be most effective and why?

Homework: Collect the handout on population structures Answer the questions in the back of your jotter

We were learning to… Describe BRs and DRs in countries with a rapidly growing population Describe the problems associated with countries with a rapid population growth Describe the benefits for countries with a rapid population growth

Can I… Draw and explain the shape of a population pyramid Explain the consequences of a rapidly growing population Give examples of measures taken by some countries to slow their population growth