Population and Development Critical Issues

Size of Population 1. Congestion- assessing population pressure on resources1. Congestion- assessing population pressure on resources 2. Adequate labor resources and human capital2. Adequate labor resources and human capital 3. Strong local market development and potential3. Strong local market development and potential

Distribution of Population Population is rarely distributed evenly in any region or state –Why?Population is rarely distributed evenly in any region or state –Why? Population reflects resource base, soil fertility and the urban patternPopulation reflects resource base, soil fertility and the urban pattern Mountainous terrain or severe slope repels populationMountainous terrain or severe slope repels population River valleys often draw high density of population as result of alluvial deposits and accessibilityRiver valleys often draw high density of population as result of alluvial deposits and accessibility Historical factors also explain the unevenness of population distributionsHistorical factors also explain the unevenness of population distributions

Growth and Mobility of Population Measured in two ways:Measured in two ways: 1. Natural Change- excess of births over deaths where dramatic decreases in mortality and continued high fertility produce high rates of growth Example: Niger- 3.5% per annum1. Natural Change- excess of births over deaths where dramatic decreases in mortality and continued high fertility produce high rates of growth Example: Niger- 3.5% per annum 2. Population Movement- such movement whether from outside region/nation or inside affects both sending and receiving areas2. Population Movement- such movement whether from outside region/nation or inside affects both sending and receiving areas a. Movements may be permanent (Migration)a. Movements may be permanent (Migration) b. Movements may be temporary (Commuting or Circulation)b. Movements may be temporary (Commuting or Circulation) c. Forced movements- refugees fleeing military- political conflict or natural disasters- examples?c. Forced movements- refugees fleeing military- political conflict or natural disasters- examples?

Structure of Population Refers to the Age and Sex Composition of a Population and is diagnosed with an Age-Sex PyramidRefers to the Age and Sex Composition of a Population and is diagnosed with an Age-Sex Pyramid Structure of Population has important implications for labor force size and productivity and raises as well the issue of the dependency burdenStructure of Population has important implications for labor force size and productivity and raises as well the issue of the dependency burden

Population Concepts Over-population- exists whenever a reduction in the population size would enable a smaller population to earn a better living Symptoms: famine and out migrationOver-population- exists whenever a reduction in the population size would enable a smaller population to earn a better living Symptoms: famine and out migration Under-population- where people are so few that they cannot develop their resources effectively to better their conditions of lifeUnder-population- where people are so few that they cannot develop their resources effectively to better their conditions of life Carrying capacity- population that can be supported by available resourcesCarrying capacity- population that can be supported by available resources

Measures of Population Population density- how much land in relation to population: Two types of densityPopulation density- how much land in relation to population: Two types of density Man-land or Arithmetic Density: number of persons/ area—often unrealistic because it assumes an even distribution of peopleMan-land or Arithmetic Density: number of persons/ area—often unrealistic because it assumes an even distribution of people Physiological or Nutritional Density- number of persons/ cultivated area—more realisticPhysiological or Nutritional Density- number of persons/ cultivated area—more realistic Example: Japan 15 percent of land is cultivatedExample: Japan 15 percent of land is cultivated Arithmetic density- 600 per sq miArithmetic density- 600 per sq mi Physiological density- 4,000 per sq miPhysiological density- 4,000 per sq mi

Measures of Population Crude birth rate- Number of live births per 1K populationCrude birth rate- Number of live births per 1K population Fertility ratio- Number of children < 5 years per 1K women of child bearing age (15-44)Fertility ratio- Number of children < 5 years per 1K women of child bearing age (15-44) Crude death rate- Number of deaths per 1K populationCrude death rate- Number of deaths per 1K population Infant mortality rate- Number of deaths 0-1 years/ Per 1K live birthsInfant mortality rate- Number of deaths 0-1 years/ Per 1K live births Dependency Ratio- Young ( 65 years)/ Adult ( years)Dependency Ratio- Young ( 65 years)/ Adult ( years)