1. The Effects of Rapid Population Growth

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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?

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

15. 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

16. 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