Global Population Dynamics: Trends and Impacts

Key Demographic Formulas

• Number of Births: (Number of Inhabitants × Birth Rate) ÷ 1000
• Number of Deaths: (Number of Inhabitants × Death Rate) ÷ 1000
• Birth Rate: (Number of Births × 1000) ÷ Number of Inhabitants
• Death Rate: (Number of Deaths × 1000) ÷ Number of Inhabitants
• Natural Increase: ((Number of Births - Number of Deaths) × 100) ÷ Number of Inhabitants
• Population Density: Number of Inhabitants ÷ Surface Area

World Population Dynamics

Demographic transition refers to the shift from high birth and death rates to lower birth and death rates as a country or region develops from a pre-industrial to an industrialized economic system.

Factors Influencing Birth Rates

• High infant mortality rates
• Religious beliefs and lack of family planning options
• Improved medical care and diet
• Access to family planning, better health, and later marriages

Factors Influencing Death Rates

• Improvements in medical care, water supply, and sanitation
• Availability of vaccines (e.g., smallpox)
• Good healthcare and a reliable food supply
• Prevalence of disease, famine, and poor medical knowledge (factors leading to high death rates)

Demographic Contrasts: Developed vs. Developing Nations

• Developed Countries: Characterized by low birth rates, an ageing population, children typically do not work, women often work outside the home, people prefer to live in areas with good conditions (e.g., coastal regions), high life expectancy, and widespread use of contraceptives.
• Developing Countries: Generally exhibit the opposite demographic characteristics.

Understanding Population Ageing

Population ageing is primarily driven by two key demographic shifts:

• Decline in fertility rates
• Increase in life expectancy

These trends lead to distinct population structures:

• Developed Countries: Tend to have an ageing population.
• Less Developed Countries: Typically have a younger population.

Impacts of Population Ageing

• Generational replacement often doesn't occur, leading to potential population decline.
• Governments face increased pressure to spend more on healthcare and social services.
• Increased demand for health and leisure services tailored to an older demographic.

Global Migration Patterns

Emigration: The act of a person leaving their country or region of residence to settle elsewhere.

Immigration: The act of a person arriving in a new country or region from elsewhere to settle.

Motivations for Migration

People migrate for a variety of reasons, often categorized as:

• Economic: Seeking better work conditions or economic opportunities.
• Social: Access to improved healthcare, education, or social services.
• Political or Religious: Fleeing war, persecution, or political instability.
• Natural Disasters: Displacement due to events like earthquakes or floods.

Categories of Migration

• Definitive: Migrants who intend to settle permanently in a new location.
• Temporary: Migrants who intend to stay for a limited period before returning to their origin.
• Seasonal: Migration that occurs for a specific season, often coinciding with agricultural cycles or tourism.
• Commuting: Regular, often daily, movement between one's place of residence and place of work or study, with return on the same day.