I&S: 2.1 Population Keywords

Demography

The statistical study of human populations, especially with reference to size and density, distribution, and vital statistics.

Life expectancy

The average period that a person may expect to live.

Population distribution

The pattern of where people live within a given area.

Population density

The number of people living in a given area, usually per square kilometer or mile.

Physical factors

Factors in the environment of a place that affect population distribution and density, such as climate, topography, and water resources.

Human factors

Factors that affect human lifestyle, behavior, cultural activity, economic activity, etc such as economic opportunities, cultural and social factors, and political conditions.

Sparse/dense

Terms used to describe the distribution of population in an area. Sparse refers to areas with low population density, while dense refers to areas with high population density.

Migration

The movement of people from one place to another, usually for the purpose of settling in a new location.

Push/Pull factors

Factors that influence migration decisions. Push factors are negative factors that make people want to leave their current location, while pull factors are positive factors that attract people to a new location.

Refugee

A person who has been forced to leave their home country due to persecution, war, or violence, and who is unable or unwilling to return.

Internally displaced person

A person who has been forced to leave their home but remains within their country’s borders.

Asylum seeker

A person who has left their home country and is seeking protection in another country due to persecution or fear of persecution.

Economic migrant

A person who moves from one country to another in search of better economic opportunities.

Social/economic/political/environmental factors

Factors that affect social structures, economic opportunities, policies and laws, and physical elements of a country or place.

Demographic Transition Model

A model based on historical population trends of birth rate and death rate to suggest a country’s total population growth rate cycles through stages as that country develops economically.

Birth Rates

The number of live births per 1,000 people in a population per year.

Death rates

The number of deaths per 1,000 people in a population per year.

Total Fertility rates

The average number of children that would be born to a woman over her lifetime

Natural increase

The difference between the number of births and the number of deaths in a population.

Population pyramids

A graphical representation of the age and sex distribution of a population.

Young dependents

(0-14 yrs) The learning generation who will replace the working population. They can provide innovation and development, but need to be taken care of.

Economically Active

(15-64 yrs) The working population that raises children and contributes the most to the economy, however in high stage countries they may be too busy to have a family.

Old dependents

(>65 yrs) The older population that lives off of pensions and require more healthcare services, however can provide more knowledge and experience.

Ageing population

A population in which the proportion of older people is increasing.

Youthful population

A population in which the proportion of young people is high.

Demographic dividend

The economic growth potential that can result from a change in the age structure of a country’s population, typically brought on by a decline in fertility and mortality rates and a larger proportion of working population than dependents.