aging population
A demographic trend where the proportion of older individuals in a population increases.
Age structure
The distribution of individuals of different ages within a population.
agricultural density
The ratio of the number of farmers to the amount of arable land.
Anthropocene
A term used to describe the current geological epoch in which human activity is the dominant influence on climate and the environment.
arithmetic (crude) density
The total population divided by the total land area.
Baby Boomers
Individuals born during the post-World War II baby boom, typically from 1946 to 1964.
Boserup effect
The theory that population growth can stimulate agricultural innovation and increase food production.
Chain migration
The process in which migrants from a particular town or region follow others from that area to a new destination, often because of social ties.
Circulation
Short-term, repetitive, or cyclical movements that recur on a regular basis
Cornucopians
The belief that human ingenuity and technology can overcome obstacles related to population growth and resource scarcity.
crude death rate (CDR)
The number of deaths per 1,000 individuals in a population.
Crude birth rate (CBR)
The number of live births per 1,000 individuals in a population per year.
Demographic equation
A mathematical formula that expresses the change in population size as a result of births, deaths, immigration, and emigration.
Demographic Transition Model (DTM)
demographs
Statistical data relating to the population and particular groups within it.
developing industrializing country
A nation in the process of industrialization and economic development.
epidemiological transition theory
A theory that describes the changing patterns of population age distributions, mortality, fertility, and causes of death.
epidemiology
The study of how diseases affect the health and illness of populations.
ethnic cleansing
The systematic removal of an ethnic or cultural group from a given territory.
Eurasia
The combined continental landmass of Europe and Asia.
forced migration
The movement of people against their will, often due to conflict or disaster.
gender roles
Socially constructed roles and behaviors typically associated with being male or female.
Generation X
Individuals born approximately between 1965 and 1980.
Generation Y
Individuals born approximately between 1981 and 1996, also known as Millennials.
Generation Z
Individuals born approximately from 1997 onward.
immigrants or in-migrants
Individuals who move into a country or region from another.
immigration or in-migration
The act of moving into a new country or region.
infant mortality rate (IMR)
The number of deaths of infants under one year old per 1,000 live births.
infanticide
The act of killing an infant.
internal migration or interregional migration
The movement of people within a country, often from one region to another.
internally displaced person (IDP)
A person forced to flee their home but remains within their country's borders.
international migration
The movement of people across international borders.
intervening obstacles
Barriers that hinder migration, such as physical, legal, or economic factors.
intervening opportunity
A favorable circumstance that arises during migration that influences the decision to settle.
migration age profile
The distribution of individuals of different ages within a migrating population.
mobility transition model
A model that describes changes in migration patterns as societies develop.
net migration rate (NMR)
The difference between the number of immigrants and emigrants per 1,000 population.
non-migrant or stayers
Individuals who do not migrate and remain in their original location.
origin
The starting point or place from which migrants come.
overpopulation
A situation where the number of people exceeds the capacity of the environment to support them.
physiological density
The number of people per unit area of arable land.
population clusters
Areas where populations are concentrated.
population composition
The demographic makeup of a population, including age, sex, and ethnicity.
population density
The number of people living per unit of area, typically per square kilometer.
population distribution
The arrangement of a population across a given area.
population pyramid
A graphical representation of the age and sex distribution of a population.
pronatalist policy
A policy that encourages higher birth rates.
pull factors
Positive attributes of a destination that attract migrants.
push factors
Negative attributes of a location that drive people to migrate away.
push-pull theory of migration
A theory that explains migration as a result of both push and pull factors.
rate of natural increase (RNI)
The difference between the number of live births and deaths in a population.
refugees
Individuals who flee their country due to persecution or conflict.
repatriated
Individuals who return to their country of origin after being displaced.
replacement level fertility
The level of fertility at which a population exactly replaces itself from one generation to the next.
residential mobility
The movement of individuals or families from one residence to another.
return migration
The process of migrants returning to their place of origin.
rule of 70
A formula used to estimate the number of years required to double a population by dividing 70 by the growth rate.
rural-to-urban migration
The movement of people from rural areas to urban centers.
seasonal migration
The temporary movement of people based on seasonal changes.
sex ratio
The ratio of males to females in a population.
Snow Belt
A region in the northern United States characterized by heavy snowfall.
social (upward) mobility
The ability of individuals or families to move up the social ladder.
social networks
The relationships and connections among individuals in a community.
spatial mobility
The movement of individuals or groups across different locations.
step (or stepwise) migration
A migration pattern where individuals move in stages to reach their final destination.
Sunbelt
A region in the southern United States known for its warm climate and economic growth.
total fertility rate (TFR)
The average number of children a woman would have during her lifetime.
transhumance
The seasonal movement of livestock between fixed summer and winter pastures.
transitional birth rate
The shift in birth rates from high to low as a country develops.
transnational migration
The movement of people across national borders while maintaining connections to their country of origin.
voluntary migration
The movement of individuals based on their own choice, often for economic or personal reasons.
women's empowerment
The process of increasing the social, economic, and political strength of women.
women's status
The social position or role of women in a society.
youth dependency ratio
The ratio of dependents aged 0-14 to the working-age population (15-64).
zero population growth (ZPG)
A condition where the number of births plus immigration equals the number of deaths plus emigration.