Population Dynamics and Fertility Rates

This set of flashcards covers key concepts related to population dynamics, fertility rates, and historical patterns impacting population growth and social factors.

What is the relationship between infant mortality and life expectancy?

Infant mortality and life expectancy interact with each other; usually, lower infant mortality rates lead to higher life expectancy.

What approximates the current world population?

The current world population is estimated to be about 8.3 billion.

What is the total fertility rate?

The total fertility rate is the average number of children a woman would have over her lifetime.

What has caused historical population growth to become exponential?

Population growth became exponential due to a decrease in death rates, particularly among young people, due to improvements in public health, sanitation, and vaccinations.

Why has the population growth rate started to flatten out?

The population growth rate has flattened out due to a convergence of birth rates and death rates, with many countries now at or below replacement fertility rates.

Which two countries currently have the lowest fertility rates?

South Korea and Taiwan have some of the lowest fertility rates in the world.

What typically influences desired family size?

Desired family size is influenced by economic opportunities, education of females, and societal norms.

How does education affect fertility rates?

Higher levels of education in females are associated with lower fertility rates, as they have more opportunities beyond traditional roles.

What is carrying capacity?

Carrying capacity is the maximum number of individuals that the available resources can support.

Why did China have a coercive population control policy?

China's coercive policy aimed to rapidly reduce population growth due to concerns about overpopulation.