GLOBAL POPULATIONGLOBAL POPULATION

Population Counter

DemographyDemography

This is the statistical study of human This is the statistical study of human population. It explains the causes population. It explains the causes and consequences of pop changes and consequences of pop changes around the world.around the world. What are the effects of an What are the effects of an

increase/decrease?increase/decrease? What caused the increases in certain What caused the increases in certain

areas and decreases in others?areas and decreases in others? 7 Billion-The National Geographic

What do we know already?What do we know already? World’s population in 1900 was 1.6 billion.World’s population in 1900 was 1.6 billion. In 1960 it was 3 billion and by 1999 reached In 1960 it was 3 billion and by 1999 reached

6.6. UN demographers project world population in UN demographers project world population in

2050 to be between 7.3-10.7 billion people. 2050 to be between 7.3-10.7 billion people. (This assumes fertility rates will drastically decline.)(This assumes fertility rates will drastically decline.)

Fertility rates have come down from an Fertility rates have come down from an average of 6 children per woman in 1950 to average of 6 children per woman in 1950 to 2.9 children per woman in 2000.2.9 children per woman in 2000.

But, there are more people of childbearing But, there are more people of childbearing age now than ever. age now than ever. (Roughly half the world’s population (Roughly half the world’s population

is under 25)is under 25) This will mean a drastic increase in This will mean a drastic increase in population by the billions.population by the billions.

Population ExplosionPopulation Explosion

Population doubled from 1960 to Population doubled from 1960 to 2000. (3 billion to 6) 2000. (3 billion to 6) What could be the problems resulting What could be the problems resulting

from this explosion?from this explosion? Put a strain on governments, economic Put a strain on governments, economic

systems and food systems and resources.systems and food systems and resources. A few parts of the world handled this A few parts of the world handled this

explosion well with an increase in living explosion well with an increase in living standards, however the already poor standards, however the already poor nations were made poorer.nations were made poorer.

What would be the effects What would be the effects of an increasing of an increasing

population?population?

OverpopulationOverpopulation

The demands of growing populations The demands of growing populations exceed the country’s carrying exceed the country’s carrying capacity.capacity. Reading – Will Overpopulation Crush the Reading – Will Overpopulation Crush the

Crust of the Earth.Crust of the Earth. National Geographic pictures

High Fertility Rates ConnectionsHigh Fertility Rates Connections Fertility rates remain high in some very Fertility rates remain high in some very

populated areas populated areas (Africa, and South Central Asia)(Africa, and South Central Asia) Why?Why? Levels of income and education are lower there. Levels of income and education are lower there.

Is there a connection between fertility rate Is there a connection between fertility rate and wealth?and wealth?

Numerous children may be needed. They Numerous children may be needed. They provide support to aging parents, help raise provide support to aging parents, help raise food, collect water, care for younger children food, collect water, care for younger children and collect supplies.and collect supplies.

In poorer countries parents expect that a In poorer countries parents expect that a couple may die, so they plan for this.couple may die, so they plan for this.

They also may work outside the home to They also may work outside the home to supplement household income or be supplement household income or be indentured or even sold to support the family.indentured or even sold to support the family.

What about education levels?What about education levels?

Birth rates are linked to education as Birth rates are linked to education as well.well.

The more education people have the The more education people have the more economic options they have and more economic options they have and usually they do not want or need usually they do not want or need many children.many children.

In areas of the world where education In areas of the world where education levels are the highest fertility rates levels are the highest fertility rates are the lowest.are the lowest.

World Fertility RatesWorld Fertility Rates

Overall EffectOverall Effect

With the increase in the population With the increase in the population there is an increase in need for there is an increase in need for resources. resources. (This hurts our sustainability.)(This hurts our sustainability.) Eventually there becomes a lack of Eventually there becomes a lack of

resources and damage to the environment. resources and damage to the environment. This in turn leads to fewer resources.This in turn leads to fewer resources.

What are the effects of this?What are the effects of this? Environmental degradation, poverty, Environmental degradation, poverty,

conflict. conflict. (People fight for what they don’t have.)(People fight for what they don’t have.)

Solutions?Solutions? What are some solutions to the high What are some solutions to the high

fertility rates?fertility rates? Educating (especially women, the more Educating (especially women, the more

educated they are, they later they get educated they are, they later they get married and the later they have children.)married and the later they have children.)

Better health care, and reproductive health Better health care, and reproductive health carecare

Reduce infant mortality.Reduce infant mortality. Make contraceptives readily availableMake contraceptives readily available

But, will this all work in the very poor But, will this all work in the very poor nations?nations?

What are the effects of a What are the effects of a decreasing population? decreasing population?

Declining Growth RateDeclining Growth Rate

Since 1980 the growth rate has Since 1980 the growth rate has declined from 2.4% growth to 1.9%. declined from 2.4% growth to 1.9%. This is the largest decline in history.This is the largest decline in history.

What are the problems with a What are the problems with a declining population?declining population? Social Systems and economies rely on Social Systems and economies rely on

growing populations.growing populations. Complete question 9 on page 59.Complete question 9 on page 59.

Effects of Decline (#9, p59)Effects of Decline (#9, p59) Percentage of older people grows.Percentage of older people grows.

Need pensions, health care, retirement homesNeed pensions, health care, retirement homes Younger generation pays for the older Younger generation pays for the older

generations.generations. People are needed to fill all the jobs from People are needed to fill all the jobs from

the older generation. (Smaller workforce.)the older generation. (Smaller workforce.) Economy suffers, not as much money going Economy suffers, not as much money going

back into the economy (fixed income)back into the economy (fixed income) More houses available than needed, value More houses available than needed, value

of homes go down. of homes go down. Any more?Any more?