population

Population density

The number of people living per unit area.

Factors affecting population distribution

Physical (climate, relief, resources), economic (jobs), social (culture), political (stability).

Why steep or mountainous areas have low population density

Difficult to build on and poor for farming.

Pull factors

Jobs, education, healthcare.

Push factors

Conflict, lack of jobs, poor living conditions.

Natural increase

When the birth rate is higher than the death rate.

Total Fertility Rate (TFR)

The average number of children a woman is expected to have.

Infant Mortality Rate (IMR)

Number of babies who die per 1000 births per year.

Life expectancy

The average number of years a person is expected to live.

Factors influencing fertility rates

Disease, healthcare, education, career focus, economic status, government policy.

Stage 1 of the DTM

High birth and death rates, slow growth.

Stage 2 of the DTM

Death rate falls, birth rate remains high → population growth.

Stage 3 of the DTM

Birth rate drops as people focus on careers and use contraception.

Stage 4 of the DTM

Low birth and death rates → population stabilises.

Stage 5 of the DTM

Birth rate falls below death rate → population decline and ageing population.

Population structure

The composition of a population by age and gender.

Wide base on a population pyramid

High birth rate.

Narrow top on a population pyramid

Low life expectancy.

Effect of economic development on population growth

Higher income → fewer children as they're expensive; lower income → more children as economic assets.

Effect of education on fertility

Better education delays marriage and reduces fertility.

Effect of healthcare on fertility and mortality

Better healthcare lowers death rate and infant mortality.

Effect of climate on population distribution

Harsh climates (deserts, mountains) have low population density.

Effect of migration on population change

Increases or decreases population through movement of people.

Social factor affecting fertility in HICs

Focus on career and delayed marriage.

Environmental factor affecting population in the DRC

Disease and famine limit growth.

Economic factor affecting fertility in LICs

Children seen as economic assets.

Economic factor affecting fertility in HICs

High cost of living discourages having children.

Political factor affecting fertility in Russia

Pro-natalist policies like maternity capital and child benefits.

Political factor affecting fertility in China (historically)

One-child policy limited births.