population

Aim of Population Composition Study

• To define key terms in Population Geography including definitions and explanations.

Definitions of Key Terms in Population Geography

• Ethnicity:
    - Refers to a group of people whose members identify with each other through a common heritage, generally consisting of:
      - A common language
      - A common culture
    - Example ethnic groups: Caribbean, Asian, etc.
    - Encompasses various characteristics of people living in a specific area, focusing on:
      - Languages
      - History
      - Culture
      - Traditions
      - Customs

• Race:
    - Refers to inherited physical characteristics used to differentiate among various groups of people.
    - Example classifications include:
      - Caucasoids
      - Negroids
      - Mongoloids

• Culture:
    - Defines the way of life of a group of people, which includes:
      - Food
      - Clothing
      - Hairstyles
      - Traditions
      - Customs
      - Religion
      - Arts
      - Technology

• Census:
    - A regular ten-year count of the population that collects data on:
      - Totals of people
      - Employment
      - Education
      - Religion
      - General composition of the population

• Population Pyramid:
    - A diagram used to represent and show the age and sex structure of a population in a country for a specific year.

• Cohort:
    - Refers to a group of people within a population characterized usually by:
      - Age (typically distinguished in five-year increments)

• Nation:
    - A country or area comprising various ethnicities and/or races and cultures governed by a single government.

• Sex:
    - The biological make-up of a person distinguishing male from female.

• Gender:
    - A social construct, not biological. It refers to:
      - Socially assigned roles
      - Behaviors
      - Attributes that are culturally appropriated for men and women.

• Population Diversity:
    - Variation within a particular group of people living within a country or region, which may be based on:
      - Race
      - Culture
      - Ethnicity

• Cosmopolitan:
    - The concept of a culture and ethnicity of a country coming together in harmony for modernization and development.

• Multicultural:
    - The presence and interaction of various cultures, customs, and traditions.

Patterns in Population Pyramids

Classification of Countries

• Countries can be categorized as:
    - Developed Countries:
      - Refers to sovereign nations with:
        - Highly progressed economies
        - Advanced technological infrastructure
      - Examples of developed countries: Canada, Australia, Germany, Dubai, Japan.
  
    - Developing Countries:
      - Refers to nations with:
        - Low industrialization
        - Low Human Development Index (HDI)
      - Examples of developing countries: Haiti, Uganda, Venezuela, Cuba.

Characteristics of Population Pyramids

Developing Countries

• Shape: Triangular

• Characteristics:
    - Large base in the pyramid, indicating a high number of young people:
      - Over 40% of the population is under 14 years of age (youthful).
    - Life expectancy is around 73 years.
    - Small aging population, making up less than 10% of the total population.
    - Over 60% depend on the other 50% of the population for support.

Developed Countries

• Shape: Columnar / Beehive

• Characteristics:
    - Small percentage of children being born:
      - Less than 20% of the population is under 14 years of age.
    - Majority of the population comprises the working class.
    - Increasing aged population, where people live longer:
      - More than 10% of the total population is elderly.

Further Illustrations of Population Pyramids

• Developing Countries (e.g., Cuba, Haiti, Venezuela):
    - Large youthful population characterized by a wide base.

• Developed Countries (e.g., USA, Japan, Canada):
    - Small youthful population with a narrow base and a larger elderly population.

Transitioning Populations

• Nations can be in transition between developing and developed status:
    - Current pyramid shape may appear as a beehive.
    - A large working class making up about 69% is presently able to grow, which might lead to a larger aged population by 2060.

• Small percentage of youthful population compared to previous decades suggests a trend of fewer births.

• The percentage of the aged population is currently around 12% and is increasing due to advancements in medical care, leading to longer life expectancy.