Demography Notes: Population Distribution, DTM, ETM (Vocabulary Flashcards)

A vocabulary-style set of flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the demography notes, including population distribution, density metrics, MDC/LDC/NIC classifications, demographic rates, the Demographic Transition Model (DTM), the Epidemiological Transition Model (ETM), and examples of diseases.

Demography

The statistical study of populations—size, structure, distribution, and trends.

Population distribution

The spatial arrangement of people across the earth; patterns of settlement influenced by physical and human factors.

Population density

The number of people living in a defined area (e.g., per square kilometer).

Water body

A natural accumulation of water (lake, river, sea) that can influence where people settle.

Ecumene

The portion of the Earth's surface permanently inhabited by humans; shaped by physical and human factors.

Climate

The long-term pattern of weather in a region that affects habitability and resource use.

Landform

Natural features of the Earth's surface (mountains, plains, plateaus) that influence settlement.

Politics

Policies, governance, and political boundaries that affect migration and settlement.

Arithmetic density

Population divided by total land area; people per unit of land.

Physiological density

Population divided by arable (farmable) land; indicates pressure on productive land.

Agricultural density

Number of farmers per unit of arable land; reflects efficiency and development.

Overpopulation

When a population exceeds the carrying capacity of its environment.

Carrying capacity

The maximum number of people an area can sustain indefinitely given resources and technology.

More Developed Country (MDC)

A high-income, industrialized country with advanced infrastructure and low birth rates.

Less Developed Country (LDC)

A country with relatively low income and developing economy; often higher birth rates.

Newly Industrializing Country (NIC)

A country undergoing rapid industrialization and economic growth.

Developing country

Another term for LDCs; often includes NICs.

Natural increase rate (NIR)

Birth rate minus death rate per 1,000 population; positive NIR means growth.

Natural decrease rate

Death rate minus birth rate; a negative natural increase.

Crude birth rate (CBR)

Number of live births per 1,000 people per year.

Crude death rate (CDR)

Number of deaths per 1,000 people per year.

Doubling time

The time required for a population to double at its current growth rate (roughly 70 divided by growth rate).

Demographic equation

Population change equals births minus deaths plus net migration.

Life expectancy

Average number of years a newborn can expect to live given current mortality rates.

Infant mortality rate

Number of deaths of infants under age 1 per 1,000 live births per year.

Total fertility rate (TFR)

Average number of children a woman would have over her lifetime at current age-specific rates.

Female literacy

Percentage of women who can read and write; a key education indicator.

Demographic Transition Model (DTM)

A model describing how birth and death rates change as a country develops through five stages.

Stage 1 (DTM)

High and fluctuating birth rates with high death rates; very slow population growth.

Stage 2 (DTM)

High birth rates with rapidly falling death rates; rapid population growth; often LDCs during early industrialization.

Stage 3 (DTM)

Falling birth rates and low death rates; population grows more slowly.

Stage 4 (DTM)

Low birth and low death rates; population growth near zero; population stable.

Stage 5 (DTM)

Hypothetical stage where birth rates fall below death rates; population may decline.

Zero population growth (ZPG)

A situation where natural increase is zero; births balance deaths and net migration.

Medical revolution's impact on DTM in LDCs

Advances in medical technology reduce mortality, accelerating transition to later DTM stages in LDCs.

Industrial revolution's impact on DTM in MDCS

Industrialization and development lead to lower birth rates and slower population growth in MDCS.

Epidemiological Transition Model (ETM)

Model describing shifts from infectious to non-communicable diseases as societies develop.

Communicable diseases

Diseases that can be transmitted from person to person (e.g., measles, influenza).

Non-communicable diseases

Chronic diseases not spread by infection (e.g., cancer, heart disease).

Measles

A contagious, vaccine-preventable disease; an example of a communicable disease.

Cancer

A non-communicable disease; not spread by contact.

Rural to urban migration

Movement from rural areas to cities, contributing to urbanization.

International migration

Movement across national borders for permanent or long-term residence.

Population growth

Increase in the number of people in a population over time due to births, deaths, and migration.