1. Objectives To understand the link between population and resources

2. OPTIMUM POPULATION The optimum population of an area is a theoretical state in which: the number of people, when working with all available resources, will produce the highest standard of living / quality of life What could influence the optimum population for an area – for example, the North East of England?

3. OPTIMUM POPULATIONS An ‘optimum population’ is never a static scenario, rather dynamic, in that it will change with time: If the size of the population should increase or decrease from the optimum, the output per capita and standard of living will fall. The optimum population will also be influenced by developments in technology, demographic structure changes, as trade opportunities develop/falter, and as new raw materials are discovered to replace old ones which are exhausted or whose values change over time

4. STANDARD OF LIVING The standard of living of an individual / population is determined by the interaction between physical and human resources: Standard = Natural Resources (minerals, energy,soils) X Technology of living Population

5. OVERPOPULATION Occurs when there are too many people relative to the resources and technology available (locally) to maintain an adequate standard of living Bangladesh, Ethiopia, and parts of China, Brazil and India are said to overpopulated as they have insufficient food, minerals and energy resources to sustain their populations All suffer from localised famines, natural hazards (drought/flood) and are characterised by low incomes, poverty, poor living conditions & high levels of emigration

6. UNDERPOPULATION Underpopulation occurs when there are far more resources in an area/country (food, energy & minerals etc) than can be used by the total population living there. Canada and Australia are good examples of countries that are underpopulated. Both have surplus amounts of food, energy and mineral resources that are exported. Their populations have high incomes, good living conditions, high levels of technology and immigration. Standards of living would probably rise further if populations increased, as greater volumes of resources would be produced and exploited!

8. Task Attempt the Spearman’s Rank exercise for GNP and population Density

9. Case study research Look into the background for the following places; Britain – ageing population – page168 to 9 of Redfearn and Skinner Zimbabwe – Youthful population What are their; Overall populations/Industries/population densities/GNP/ Calorie consumption per person/food production capacities (e.g. Do they export more than they import)? Have they had famine or other overpopulation related catastrophes? What is the population distribution like? In your opinion are they under or overpopulated?

10. Discuss – “Britain is overpopulated ”. Key points arising from discussion: Now consider the discussion points from activity 21 on page 169 0f your text book