Population Geography

Terms to Know BR(birth rate) # of births/1000 in population DR(death rate) # of deaths/1000 in population RNI(rate of natural increase) BR-DR÷10 IMR(infant mortality rate) # of infant deaths/1000 live births TFR(total fertility rate) avg. # of children born to a woman of childbearing age given her country’s BR and DR

Demographic Transition Model Warren Thompson (1929)- based on observed changes, or transitions, in birth and death rates in industrialized societies over the previous ~200 years.

Demographic Transition Model It is an idealized, composite picture of population change in these countries. The model is a generalization that applies to these countries as a group and may not accurately describe all individual cases. Whether or not it applies to less developed societies today remains to be seen.

Stage One Both high birth rates and death rates fluctuate in the first stage of the population model giving a small population little access to birth control many children die in infancy (high infant mortality) so parents tend to have more children to compensate in the hopes that more will live children are needed to work on the land to grow food for the family children are regarded as a sign of virility in some cultures religious beliefs (e.g. Roman Catholics and Hindus) encourage large families high death rates, especially among children because of disease, famine, poor diet, poor hygiene, little medical science.

Stage Two Birth rates remain high, but death rates fall rapidly causing high population growth. improvements in medical care - hospitals, medicines, etc. improvements in sanitation and water supply quality and quantity of food produced rises transport and communications improve the movements of food and medical supplies decrease in infant mortality.

Stage Three Birth rates now fall rapidly while death rates continue to fall. The total population begins to peak and the population increase slows to a constant. increased access to contraception lower infant mortality rate means there is less need to have a bigger family industrialization and mechanization means fewer laborers are required the desire for material possessions takes over the desire for large families as wealth increases equality for women means that they are able to follow a career path rather than feeling obligated to have a family

Stage Four Both birth rates and death rates remain low, fluctuating with 'baby booms' and epidemics of illnesses and disease. This results in a steady population. most preventable deaths are avoided

Stage Five??? Total population is declining because birth rates have dropped below death rates. Not originally part of the model, but many post-industrial countries find themselves in this position.

Population Pyramids