Population Dynamics

Population Dynamics

1. Population Explosion

   • This is referring to the recent, dramatic, increase in the global population
   • Reasons for the Growth
     • Due to modern medicine people are living for longer
     • Food Production has increased worldwide due to a better understanding of agriculture
     • Death rates are falling faster than birth rates
     • In LEDC's large families are still commonplace despite to offset the extra labor they undertake, despite the dramatic increase in life expectancy

2. Main Factors of Population Growth

   • Birth Rate
     • The number of births per year, per 1000 population
   • Death Rate
     • The number of deaths per year, per 1000 population
   • Migration
     • The permanent, seasonal or temporary movement of people
   • Resources
     • The more resources a country has, the more children people have.
     • Underpopulation
       • When a country or region has more resources available than are being used by the people living there
       • Problems
         • Restricts economic growth
         • Can be unstable if the dependency rate is too high
         • Restricts social growth
         • Population won't be able to fill all the jobs that are needed
     • Overpopulation
       • When a country or region does not have enough resources to keep its people living at a reasonable standard
       • Problems
         • Not enough housing
         • High crime rates
         • Not enough health care
         • Not enough education
         • Congestion
         • Shortage of food and water
         • Water and air pollution

3. The Impact of HIV on Growth Rates

   • HIV drastically increases death rates all around the world, the most severe of which can be seen in Africa
   • HIV spawned in Africa and the USA, then being transferred through the Middle East and South America.
   • MEDCs where HIV is still prevalent are USA and Russia
   • In Africa, HIV is present everywhere
     • The most infected areas are along the southern coast
       • 11-20% infected
       • Some of the countries have an infection rate of +20%
     • Central Africa is less infected
       • 1-5% infected
       • Exceptions
         • Kenya
         • Tanzania
         • Gabon
         • Cameroon
         • Central African Republic
   • Social and Economic Impacts
     • Drastically reduces the work force
     • Weakens economy
     • Taboo against women, as they account for 58% of the infected population
     • Amount of deaths leaves behind many orphans
   • Prevention of AIDS
     • Educating the teenage population of the symptoms and treatments
     • Public advertisement about contraception
     • Personal testing kits
     • Quarantine for highly infected areas