Demography - Video Notes

A set of QUESTION_AND_ANSWER flashcards covering key demography concepts: origins, definitions, population structure, pyramids, growth measures, data sources, and basic indicators.

Who first used the title 'Demography' and in which work?

Achille Guillard in Elements de Statistique Humaine ou Demographie Comparee (1855).

What are the Greek roots of 'demography' and what do they mean?

demos (people) and graphy (branch of knowledge regarding a particular science, here human populations).

What are the main focuses of demography?

Population size, population composition, and population distribution.

Give one public health use of demography.

To identify and characterize health problems in a community for planning and prevention.

Why is studying population composition important for public health?

It affects requirements for goods and services and determines manpower supply, influencing social, economic, and political life.

Stage I (Pre-industrial) in the demographic transition: key features?

High birth and death rates, modest population growth, low median age, high total dependency, and short life expectancy.

Stage II (Transitional) in the demographic transition: key features?

Lowered death rate with high birth rate; rapid population growth; median age falls; dependency ratio is high; life expectancy increases.

Stage III (Industrial) in the demographic transition: key features?

Birth rates decline; death rates remain low; population growth slows; median age is high; dependency ratio is low; more aging individuals.

Stage IV (Post-Industrial) in the demographic transition: key features?

Low birth and death rates; population growth very slow; median age declines; life expectancy is high; higher dependency ratio.

Stage V in the demographic transition: key features?

Marked decline in fertility; death rate low; older population that begins to shrink.

What are the three basic shapes of population pyramids?

Expansive (young, broad base, growing), Stationary (rectangular, stable), Constructive/Constrictive (elderly, shrinking).

Describe an expansive population pyramid.

Broad base with a larger share of young people; high fertility; common in developing countries.

Describe a stationary population pyramid.

Rectangular shape with relatively equal age cohorts; low birth rates; high life expectancy; common in developed countries.

Describe a constructive (constrictive) population pyramid.

Beehive or inverted shape with fewer young people and a larger elderly cohort; high development and life expectancy.

What are the five stages of population structure in order?

Stage I: high birth/death; Stage II: falling death rate with high birth rate; Stage III: declining birth rate; Stage IV: low birth/death rates; Stage V: fertility falls markedly.

What is the Dependency Ratio?

An index showing the pressure of dependents on the productive population: Dependency ratio = (0-14 years + 65+ years) / (15-64 years) × 100.

How is Median Age interpreted in demography?

Median age indicates the level of fertility; a lower median age suggests higher fertility.

How is Sex Ratio defined and calculated?

Sex ratio is the number of males per 100 females; calculated as (males / females) × 100.

What is Urban–Rural composition?

Differences in population characteristics between rural and urban areas; place effects influence demographics.

How is Literacy Rate calculated?

Literacy rate = (number of people aged 10+ who are literate / total population aged 10+) × 100.

What does 'Economic characteristics' refer to in population data?

Percent distribution of the population according to economic status.

Which demographic characteristics are commonly reported besides size, age, and sex?

Race, Nationality, Language, Religion.

What are common sources of demographic data?

Censuses, sample surveys, registration systems; continuing population registers (e.g., voters registry, school registers).

What are the main population processes that determine change?

Mortality, fertility, and migration.

What are the two favorite means of measuring population growth?

Annual percentage of increase and doubling of the population (growth rate-based).

How do you calculate doubling time using the Rule of 70?

Doubling time = 70 / annual growth rate (percent).