Demography & Family Planning – Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing fundamental terms and definitions from the lecture on demographic cycles, population trends, and fertility indicators.

Demographic Cycle

The sequence of stages a population passes through over time, characterized by changing birth and death rates.

High Stationary Stage

Phase I of the demographic cycle where both birth rate and death rate are high, yielding a stable population.

Early Expanding Stage

Phase II in which birth rate remains high but death rate starts to decline, producing explosive population growth.

Late Expanding Stage

Phase III marked by a declining birth rate and still-falling death rate, leading to slower population growth.

Low Stationary Stage

Phase IV where both birth and death rates are low and roughly equal, giving a stable population typical of developed countries.

Declining Stage

Phase V with very low birth rates that may fall below death rates, causing population decline or negative growth.

Demographic Gap

The numerical difference between the birth rate (BR) and death rate (DR) in any stage of the demographic cycle.

Annual Growth Rate (AGR)

Yearly population increase calculated as Birth Rate minus Death Rate.

Malthusian Growth Model

Concept that population grows exponentially when unchecked, while resources grow arithmetically.

Age Pyramid

A bar graph showing the age and sex structure of a population, useful for visualizing growth patterns.

Triangular Age Pyramid

A pyramid with a broad base indicating high birth rate and a narrow top indicating high death rate—typical of rapidly growing populations.

Bell-shaped Age Pyramid

A pyramid with a broad middle (reproductive ages) showing declining birth rates and stable population growth.

Urn-shaped Age Pyramid

A pyramid with a narrow base and wider top, signifying low birth rate and an aging, declining population.

Demographic Gift (Demographic Dividend/Bonus)

Economic advantage that arises when a large share of the population is in the productive 15-64 age group.

Demographic Liability

Situation where high proportions of dependents (young or old) burden the working-age population.

Dependency Ratio

Total number of dependents (0–14 y + 65 y +) divided by the working-age population (15–64 y), expressed as a percentage.

Women of Reproductive Age (WRA)

Females aged 15–49 years, the population base for fertility calculations.

General Fertility Rate (GFR)

Number of live births per 1,000 women of reproductive age in a given year.

Age-Specific Fertility Rate (ASFR)

Number of live births per 1,000 women in a specific 5-year age group.

Total Fertility Rate (TFR)

Average number of children a woman would bear during her lifetime, based on current ASFRs; proxy for completed family size.

Gross Reproduction Rate (GRR)

Average number of daughters a woman would have if she survived through her reproductive years, ignoring mortality.

Net Reproduction Rate (NRR)

Average number of daughters a newborn girl will bear in her lifetime, accounting for both fertility and female mortality; NRR = 1 denotes replacement level.

Replacement Level Fertility

Condition where each couple has exactly one daughter (NRR = 1), just replacing themselves in the next generation.

Couple Protection Rate (CPR)

Percentage of couples effectively protected against pregnancy by any contraceptive method; operational indicator for family-planning programs.

Explosive Population Growth

Annual growth rate exceeding 2 %, which can double a population in roughly 35 years.