Population Growth (CIE IGCSE Economics)

• Population refers to all of the inhabitants of a particular country
• The population growth rate is the size of the change in the population of a country, expressed as a percentage
   
• The following factors affect population growth
  • The annual birth rate
  • The annual  death rate
  • The net migration
    • A higher birth rate & lower death rate would both increase the population
    • More immigration than emigration would increase the growth rate
       
• All countries have different rates of population growth
  • Population growth rates are currently highest in less economically developed countries such as Niger, Mali and Zambia
  • Population growth rates are lowest in more economically developed countries
  • In some MEDCs such as Italy and Japan, the population is decreasing as the number of deaths is higher than the number of births

• There are two broad causes of population change
  • Migration (explained above)
  • Natural population change (birth rates & death rates)
      

Natural Causes of Population Change
 

• Natural change in population is calculated by deducting the death rate from the birth rate
   
• The following factors led to a decrease in the death rate 
  
  • The agricultural revolution led to higher yields & healthier, more varied diets
  • Improvements to medicine & medical care 
  • Improvements to technology & transport, leading to a wealthier population which increases life expectancy
  • Improved housing & sanitation
     
• The birth rate has remained high in LEDCs due to
  • Lack of access to family planning & contraception 
  • An increase in women surviving childbirth
  • Families continuing to have large numbers of children to look after their parents in old age & to help support the family
  • Culture of having larger families which takes many years to change
  • Religious reasons 
    
    
• The birth rate has fallen significantly in many MEDCs due to
  • Increased access to family planning & contraception
  • Changing social norms which include starting families later, having fewer children, or remaining single
  • Increased costs of child rearing & university education