AP Human Geography Unit 2: Population and Migration Patterns and Processes

Anti-natalist Policy

A population policy designed to limit fertility through the use both of incentives and deterrents.

Pro-natalist Policy

A population policy that aims to encourage more births through the use of incentives.

Life Expectancy

The average number of years an individual can be expected to live, given current social, economic, and medical conditions. Life expectancy at birth is the average number of years a newborn infant can expect to live.

Population Pyramid

A model used in population geography to show the age and sex distribution of a particular population.

Epidemiological Transition Model

The theory that says that there is a distinct cause of death in each stage of the demographic transition model. It can help explain how a country's population changes so dramatically.

Fertility Rate

The average number of children born to a woman during her lifetime in a population

Rate of Natural Increase (RNI)

The difference in births and deaths in a population, usually expressed as a percentage; does not take into account migration into or out of an area.

Doubling Time

The number of years needed to double a population, assuming a constant rate of natural increase.

Immigrants

People who moved into a country.

Emigrants

People who moved out of a country.

Demographic Balancing Equation

Total Population Change = Births - Deaths + Immigrants - Emigrants

Malthusian Theory

Starvation is the inevitable result of population growth, because the population increases at a geometric rate while food supply can only increase arithmetically.

Neo-Malthusians

People who believed in Malthusian Theory and in the idea that population was not only outstripping food but other resources.

Push Factors of Immigration

Reasons people emigrate and leave their homes such as economic troubles, overcrowding, poverty, warfare.

Pull Factors of Immigration

Reasons to migrate to a new area such as economic opportunity, peace, stability, freedom to make a better life.

Poverty

Inability to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter.

Overpopulation

The number of people in an area exceeds the capacity of the environment to support life at a decent standard of living.

Demographic Transition Model

A sequence of demographic changes in which a country moves from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates through time.

Carrying Capacity

Largest number of individuals of a population that a environment can support without extreme environmental degradation