Demographics Review

Key vocabulary terms and definitions for demographics unit review.

Doubling Time

Estimated using the Rule of 70: Doubling Time ≈ 70 / (Growth Rate Percentage).

Demography

The study of human populations, including numbers, distribution, trends, and issues.

Birth Rate

The number of births in a population per year per 1000 people.

Death Rate

The number of deaths in a population per year per 1000 people.

Natural Increase Rate

How much a country’s population has increased or decreased based on births and deaths in one year.

Net Migration Rate

The immigration rate minus the emigration rate.

Population Growth Rate

The natural increase rate plus the net migration rate.

Push Factor

Reasons people want to leave their country and move to another one (e.g., war, high crime rates, unemployment).

Pull Factor

Reasons and/or opportunities that attract a person to a country (e.g., potential employment, greater wealth, better climate, low crime rates).

Refugee

Someone who moves to another country because of fear of cruel or inhumane treatment in their home country due to various factors (race, religion, etc.).

Dependency Load

The part of the population that needs to be supported (0-14 age group and 65+ age group).

Total Fertility Rate (TFR)

The average number of children per woman.

Demographic Transition Model

Traces a country’s path from a high birth/death rate to a low birth/death rate.

Replacement Rate (RR)

The total fertility rate (TFR) at which women give birth to enough babies to sustain population levels.

Skilled Worker Class

Immigration programs that prioritize individuals with specific skills, training, and experience.

Skilled Trades Class

For skilled workers with qualifications in a skilled trade and who have the necessary work experience.

Population Implosion

A dramatic decline in population.

Demographic Trap

When a country’s population growth rate is so high that the country is not able to develop economically and socially.

Fragile State

A poor country that is not able to respond to crises in food supply, health care, or other critical systems.

Non-Governmental Organization (NGO)

A private, not-for-profit organization that works to achieve particular social, environmental, or political goals.

Official Development Assistance (ODA)

The aid that governments provide internationally.

Economic Immigration

Immigration based on skills and economic contributions.

Canadian Experience Class

A program for skilled workers who have gained work experience in Canada and meet specific requirements.

Start-Up Visa

A program for entrepreneurs who plan to start a business in Canada.

Temporary Foreign Workers

A program that allows Canadian employers to hire temporary foreign workers when they cannot find qualified Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

Family Class

Involves reuniting families via sponsorship.

Refugee Class

Helps people escape danger or severe discrimination in their home country.

Immigration Point System

Criteria Canada uses to decide who to accept as economic immigrants; a minimum of 67 points is required.

Population Pyramids

A graph that depicts population distribution by age and sex.

Demographic Transition Model

A model used to describe the change from a high birth rate and high death rate demographic pattern, to a low birth rate and low death rate demographic pattern.