4.2.6 Read Withgott 7th edition Human Populations

Population-control program

A program initiated by China to manage the growth of its population.

One-child policy

A population-control measure that limited couples to having one child, leading to negative societal effects.

Doubling time

The time it takes for a population to double in size, calculated using the growth rate.

Total fertility rate (TFR)

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

Replacement fertility rate

The total fertility rate that would maintain the size of a population, typically around 2.1.

Rate of natural increase

The change in a population size only due to births and deaths, also known as the natural rate of population change.

Family planning

The planning of births and the intervals between each child.

Birth control

Efforts to control the number of children born by reducing the number of pregnancies.

Contraception

Deliberate attempts to prevent pregnancy despite sexual intercourse.

Reproductive window

The period of a woman's life where she is fertile.

Doubling time formula

70 / (percentage annual growth rate) = approximate doubling time.

Effect of one-child policy on female children

This caused female infants to be killed because sons were more valued.

Effect of one-child policy on workforce

It made the workforce shrink to a size that could negatively affect their economy.

Changes in population-control program in 1979

They made it harsher using a system of rewards and punishments.

Changes in population-control program in 2015

They made it that couples could have 2 kids without penalty.

Population growth rate

The human population is growing at about 1.2% per year.

TFR of Africa

The continent with the fastest-growing population is Africa. Their TFR is 4.6.

TFR of Europe

The continent with the slowest-growing population is Europe. Their TFR is 1.6.

TFR closest to replacement rate

Latin America and the Caribbean and Asia have the closest TFRs to the replacement fertility rate (2.1).

TFR of North America

North America's TFR is 1.7, which is lower than the replacement fertility rate.

Relationship between contraception and birth control

Contraception allows for birth control.

Theoretical children per healthy woman

In theory, a healthy woman could have 25 children during her reproductive window.

Reasons for low contraception usage

Limited availability, religious doctrine, and cultural influences.

Relationship between education for women and fertility rates

Poor education leads to high fertility rates.

Affluence and fertility rates

Poorer societies have a higher fertility rate compared to more affluent societies.

Environmental problem of population growth

Population growth in developing countries causes people to live in areas that cannot support them, leading to degradation and deforestation.