World Population: Growth, Structure, and Challenges
World Population
Indicators of Population Growth
- Birth and fertility rates
- Birth rate: Number of births per 1,000 people
- Total fertility rate (TFR): Average number of children a woman has during her lifetime
- Death rate
- Crude death rate (CDR): Number of deaths per 1,000 people
- Life expectancy: Average number of years a person is expected to live
- Rate of natural increase (RNI): Difference between birth and death rates
Population Density
Population density is the ratio of the number of people to the size of the area they occupy.
Population Structure
A population pyramid shows the age and gender structure of a population.
Historical Population Growth
World population has grown rapidly since the 19th century due to improvements in agriculture, medicine, and hygiene.
Current Population Trends
Developed Countries
- Low population growth
- Low birth rates
- High life expectancy
- Ageing population
Less Developed Countries
- High population growth
- High birth rates
- Low life expectancy
- Young population
Factors Influencing Population Growth
Fertility Rate
- Declining in both developed and less developed countries
- Reasons for decline in developed countries: Women in the workforce, contraception, delayed childbearing
- Reasons for decline in less developed countries: Reduced child mortality, economic factors
Life Expectancy
- Increasing globally
- Reasons for increase: Advances in medicine, improved diet, hygiene, and working conditions
Ageing Populations
- High life expectancy and low birth rates lead to ageing populations
- Consequences of ageing populations: Economic and social challenges
Challenges of Population Growth
Overpopulation
- Too many people for available resources
- Leads to food shortages, overcrowding, unemployment, and lack of basic services
Ageing Populations in Developed Countries
- Economic and social challenges
- Policies to address ageing populations: Encourage births, cover social costs
Conclusion
World population is a complex and dynamic issue with significant implications for the future. Understanding the factors that influence population growth and the challenges it poses is crucial for developing effective policies to address these issues.