Factors influencing the Rate of Population change

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1. Food supply

Extra food helps a population to grow. Farmers are now using better quality seeds and fertilisers to increase crop growth and they have learnt to use crop rotation to prevent the ground from loosing nutrients. farmers also store grain in silos to prevent damage from pests or rain.

extra food supplies have caused an increase in the populations of europe and south america in the nineteenth and early twentieth century. colonisations have brought better agricultural ideas and techniques to africa, asia and south america.

The population of Ireland rapidly increased in the 19th century. this was because on hectare of land could produce enough potatoes and vegetables to support a family. However, when the potato crop failed during the great famine food supply declined. as a result the population greatly decreased.

2. Improved technology

Technology has been improved over time to increase food supply. better farming equipment e.g. tractors, ploughs, combine harvester has made farming more efficient.

In Germany, cereals such as wheat are grown using modern technology. wheat output per hectare is very high. in dry places, irrigation is in use. plants are watered through underground dams and pipes. irrigation increases food supply.

3. Education

The more educated the population, especially women, the smaller the families and the slower the population growth. If women are educated they are likely to make personal decisions about family size.

Educated mothers tend to practise family planning and to raise healthy children. Educated mothers learn about children's diet, personal hygiene and the importance of clean water in raising children. many parents in developing countries have many children because they do not have access to contraception or because children, especially boys, are expected to look after their parents when they grow up. however, when mothers see that their children survive to adulthood they have less children.

In developing countries like Africa and Asia, many young women are not being educated. therefore many are unaware of family planning services. In Ireland and Germany birth rates are low because mothers are educated and small families are less expensive than large ones.

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