1. Chapter 26

2. Economic Population Definitions
Demography is the statistical study of human population.
A country is under-populated when an increase in the population causes an increase in the average income per head under given economic resources.
A country is overpopulated when an increase in population causes a decrease in the average income per head under given economic resources.
Optimum population is when the average income per head is at its highest possible level under given economic resources.

3. Economic Population Definitions cont.
Birth rate is the average number of live births per 1,000 people per year.
Fertility rate is the number of live births in a geographic area in a year per 1,000 women of childbearing age.
Total fertility rate is the average number of babies born to women during their reproductive years.

4. Difference in Fertility between Developed and Developing Nations
Developed Countries
Many women opt to concentrate on their careers rather than have children.
Increasing sexual equality means that women have more control over their own fertility.
It is often viewed that children are very expensive to rear and educate.
A vital factor is that there is a ready availability of contraception and family planning advice.

5. Difference in Fertility between Developed and Developing Nations cont.
Less Developed Countries
Many parents have a lot of children in the expectation that some will die because of a high infant mortality rate in their region.
Children are viewed as essential in families because they contribute to household income, either by way of government support or employment.
There may be a shortage of family planning facilities and advice.

6. Factors that Contribute to the
Death Rate
Infant mortality refers to the number of children out of every 1,000 born alive who die on or before their first birthday.
Death rate is the average number of deaths per 1,000 people per year.
There are a number of factors that contribute to this, including:
Dirty and unreliable water supplies
Poor housing conditions
Poor access to medical services
Endemic disease in some countries
Diets that are short in calories and/or protein

7. Total population of a country Total land area of a country
Life expectancy is the number of years, based on statistical averages, that a given person of a specific age, class or other demographic variable may be expected to continue living.
Density of population is the average number of people per square kilometre.
Total population of a country
Total land area of a country
Dependency ratio:
Number of people aged under 15 and over 65
Number of people aged between 15 and 65

8. Migration Definitions
Net migration is the difference between outward migration (emigration) and inward migration (immigration) during a period of time.
Emigration: Irish citizens leaving Ireland and moving to live abroad.
Immigration: Citizens of other countries entering Ireland to live.

9. Factors that Influence Migration
Push forces
High levels of unemployment
Low wage rates
Lack of promotion opportunities
Poor social infrastructure
Political instability
Religious persecution
Desire to seek new experiences and employment outside of one’s native homeland

10. Factors that Influence Migration cont.
Pull forces
Employment opportunities
Higher wages
Better standard of living
Job experience
Greater political stability abroad
A more attractive climate
The desire to broaden one’s outlook on the world

11. Economic Consequences of an Increase in Emigration
Higher dependency ratio
Opportunity costs
‘Brain drain’
Smaller domestic market
Demand for state services
Unemployment reduced
International connections
Upward pressure on Irish wage levels
A reduction in social costs
Loss of potential investment

12. Economic Consequences for a Country Experiencing Increased Immigration
Increased demand for goods and services
Government revenue increases
Reduction in labour shortages
Greater utilisation of services
New skills/traditions within society
Pressure on provision of state services

13. Economic Consequences for a Country Experiencing Increased Immigration cont.
Increased pressure on infrastructure
Exploitation of immigrants
Dependency ratio changes
Resentment/racism
Land and property values increase

14. Characteristics of an Ageing Population
An ageing population is defined by a population who:
Is living longer
Has an average lifespan that is increasing
Has a growing percentage of the population who are in an older age bracket

15. Possible Economic Effects of an Ageing Population on the Irish Economy
Pressure on the provision of state pensions
Increased tax burden
Increased government expenditure
Changing pattern of demand
The participation rate falls
Reduced mobility of labour

16. Thomas Malthus (1766–1834)
He thought population growth could be halted by positive checks on population.
His predictions on population growth did not materialise due to improvements in agricultural technology, which made land more productive, and the slowdown in the rate of population growth in developed countries.

17. Thomas Malthus (1766–1834) cont.
His iron law of wages/subsistence wages theory stated that any wages paid to workers in excess of the subsistence level would cause an increase in population. This would in turn lead to a growth in the supply of labour, which would lead to a fall in the wage rate. This fall in the wage rate would lead to a decrease in population and move wages up to subsistence level.

18. The Census
The census is the official count of the nation’s people and a compilation of economic, social and other data. It is used by the government in the formulation of development policies and plans.

19. Economic Uses for a Census of Population in Ireland
Demographic changes
Infrastructural requirements
Planning and the provision of essential services
Regional policy
Pension planning
Future levels of consumer demand
Labour market
Profiling of the population