Changing Populations: Key Terms
Changing Populations: Key Terms
Changing Populations: Key Terms
Population Growth & Decline
Birth rate – The number of live babies born per 1,000 people in a year.
Death rate – The number of deaths per 1,000 people in a year.
Emigration – The act of leaving one country to live in another.
Fertility rate – The number of live births per 1,000 women aged 15–49 in a year.
Immigration – The act of moving into a country to live permanently.
Life expectancy – The average number of years a person is expected to live from birth.
Migration – The movement of people from one place to another, either within a country or between countries.
Natural increase – When the birth rate is higher than the death rate, causing the population to grow.
Net migration – The difference between the number of people entering and leaving a country.
Population explosion – A rapid increase in the size of the world population, especially during the 20th century.
Population growth rate – The rate at which a population increases or decreases in a year, usually shown as a percentage.
Total Fertility Rate (TFR) – The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime.
Population Policies
Anti-natalist policy – A policy that aims to reduce birth rates and slow population growth.
Baby bonus – A financial reward given to parents for having children, used in countries like Singapore.
Contraception – Methods or devices used to prevent pregnancy.
Family planning – Programmes that provide education and access to contraception to control family size.
One-child policy – A population control policy in China (1979–2016) which limited most families to having one child.
Pro-natalist policy – A policy designed to increase the birth rate and population size.
The Demographic Transition Model
Demographic Transition Model (DTM) – A model showing how birth and death rates affect population growth as a country develops.
Stage 1 (High Stationary) – High birth and death rates; low total population growth due to poor healthcare, famine, and low life expectancy.
Stage 2 (Early Expanding) – Death rate falls due to improved healthcare and clean water; birth rate remains high, leading to rapid population growth.
Stage 3 (Late Expanding) – Birth rate starts to fall due to contraception, education, and urbanisation; population still grows but more slowly.
Stage 4 (Low Stationary) – Both birth and death rates are low and stable; population is high but growing slowly.
Stage 5 (Declining?) – Birth rate falls below death rate, leading to a slow decline in total population.
Factors Influencing Population Structures
Ageing population – A population with a growing number of older people, often due to longer life expectancy and lower birth rates.
Dependency ratio – The ratio of people not in the workforce (young and old dependents) compared to those who are economically active.
Emigration – When people leave a country to live in another country.
Fertility rate – The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime.
Infant mortality rate – The number of babies who die before their first birthday per 1,000 live births.
Population pyramid – A graph showing the age and gender structure of a population.
Working-age population – People between roughly 15 and 64 years old who are considered economically active.
Youthful and Ageing Populations
Ageing population (continued) – Seen in many high-income countries. It increases pressure on health services and pensions and often leads to labour shortages.
Angel plan – A Japanese policy introduced in 1994 to increase the birth rate through childcare and family support.
Cultural norms – Traditions and beliefs in a society, such as large families, which can influence population structure.
Disposable income – The amount of money people have available to spend after taxes, often higher in retired people in ageing societies.
High dependency ratio – When many young or old people rely on a smaller working-age population for support.
Immigration policy – Laws and rules about people moving into a country; Japan revised its immigration law in 2018 to allow more workers.
Plus One proposal – A Japanese population policy that focuses on increasing daycare access and creating parent-friendly workplaces.
Social services – Government services such as healthcare, pensions, and education, which are impacted by changing population structures.
Volunteering – Older people in ageing societies often contribute to the community through unpaid roles.
Youthful population – A population with a large number of children and young people, often found in low-income countries due to high birth rates.
Population Case Study: Japan
Ageing population in Japan – Over 33% of people are over 60, leading to a higher death rate and shrinking population.
Birth rate in Japan – Currently 6.8 per 1,000 people – very low and below the replacement level.
Death rate in Japan – Has risen to 11.1 per 1,000 people, largely due to the ageing population.
Fertility rate in Japan – Around 1.36 children per woman, well below the replacement level of 2.1.
Life expectancy in Japan – Japan has the highest in the world, at 84.36 years, contributing to the ageing population.
Population decline – Japan’s population fell from 128.1 million in 2010 to 125.8 million in 2020, and continues to decline.
Population pyramid (Japan) – Has a pentagon shape with a narrow base, showing fewer children and many older people.
School closures – Japan has an average of 450 schools closing each year due to falling student numbers.
Worker shortages – Japan predicts a shortage of 380,000 elderly care workers by 2025, due to population decline.
Types of Migrant
Asylum seeker – A person who has left their country and is seeking protection in another country due to fear of persecution.
Economic migrant – Someone who moves to another country for better job opportunities or to improve their standard of living.
Emigrant – A person who leaves their home country to live in another.
Immigrant – A person who enters a new country to live there permanently or long-term.
Internal migrant – Someone who moves within the same country, usually from rural to urban areas.
International migrant – A person who moves across national borders to live in another country.
Refugee – Someone who has been forced to flee their country due to conflict, persecution, or disaster.
Seasonal migrant – A person who moves temporarily to work during a specific time of year (e.g. harvest time).
Causes of Migration
Conflict – Wars or violence can force people to flee for safety.
Economic opportunity – Higher wages, more jobs, and better standards of living pull people to new places.
Environmental disaster – Natural events such as droughts, floods or earthquakes that displace populations.
Family reunification – Moving to join family members already living in another place.
Healthcare and education – Better services attract migrants seeking a higher quality of life.
Job shortages (Push Factor) – Lack of employment opportunities at home may push people to migrate.
Political instability – Corruption or weak governments may lead people to leave for a safer, more stable society.
Poverty – People migrate in search of financial security and a better quality of life.
Impacts of Migration
Brain drain – The loss of skilled workers from one country to another.
Cultural exchange – The spread and sharing of languages, food, and customs between people from different places.
Discrimination – Migrants may face prejudice or unfair treatment in the destination country.
Pressure on services – In areas with high migration, schools, hospitals, and housing may become overcrowded.
Remittances – Money sent home by migrants, which supports families and the economy in their origin country.
Skill shortages – The source country may struggle to replace workers who have migrated.
Workforce growth – Migrants can fill labour gaps and help economic growth in the destination country.
Strategies to Manage International Migration
Border control – Monitoring and managing who enters and leaves a country.
Guest worker schemes – Programmes allowing people to work temporarily in a country to fill labour shortages.
Immigration quotas – A limit on how many people can enter a country from different regions each year.
International agreements – Countries cooperating to manage refugee flows or control illegal migration.
Language & integration support – Classes and services that help migrants adapt to their new country.
Visa system – Rules that control who can legally enter and stay in a country for work, study, or family.
Work permits – Documents that allow migrants to legally work in a foreign country for a set period.
Migration Case Study: Mexico–USA
Border wall – Physical barrier between Mexico and the USA to reduce illegal immigration.
Coyote (smuggler) – A person paid to illegally transport migrants across the border.
Illegal immigration – Entry or stay in a country without official permission.
Job opportunities – A major pull factor to the USA, particularly in agriculture, construction, and services.
Push factors (Mexico) – High crime, low wages, unemployment, and poverty encourage people to leave.
Remittances to Mexico – Many migrants in the USA send money home, boosting the Mexican economy.
Strain on US services – Migrants may increase demand for healthcare, housing, and education in the USA.
US immigration policy – Includes quotas, deportations, and patrols aimed at reducing illegal crossings.