A changing population

USING THE diagram below, how would these concepts affect population change?

OBJECTIVES

1. Explain the factors influencing population distribution.

2. Explain the factors influencing population change.

3. Explain the causes and consequences of migration.

4. Outline the sources and uses of population statistics.

Population change is simply the change in the number of people in a specified area during a specific time period.

FACTORS INFLUENCING POPULATION DISTRIBUTION

Population distribution refers to the way in which a population is spread out over a given area.

1. THE RELIEF OF THE LAND/PHYSICAL FACTORS

The lowlands are generally seen as more attractive for settlement in the Caribbean.

2. THE CLIMATE AND NATURAL VEGETATION

Forested areas usually have a sparse population. There is a great desire to protect rainforests and natural habitats, thereby limiting human settlement in these areas.

3. FERTILE AREA/ AGRICULTURAL INFLUENCE

Most Caribbean people are farmers and depend on the availability of land and water for cultivation.

4. LOCATION OF MINERAL RESOURCES

These areas attract a high population density because of employment opportunities and a chance of a higher standard of living. Resources may also encourage other business as workers need accommodation, food and entertainment, and essential services.

5. DEVELOPED AREAS/URBAN INFLUENCE

Developed areas offer employment and better public and social amenities.

POPULATION CHANGE

Factors that affects population change include birth rate, death rate, and migration.

BIRTH RATE

This is the number of live births per thousand people in the population each year.

■ Birth rate is affected by culture, health, economic conditions, education level, religious beliefs, fertility rate, and policies towards population control.

■ A rapidly growing population is linked to limited economic development and has an impact on the dependency ratio.

■ Birth rate is affected by the FERTILITY RATE: the average number of children who would be born per woman if each woman lived to the end of her childbearing years.

Activity: Explain as best as possible how each of these factors may affect birth rate: culture, health, economic conditions, education level, religious beliefs, fertility rate, and policies towards population control.

DEATH RATE

This refers to the number of people per thousand in a population who die each year.

■ This is affected by the level of healthcare, nutrition, the murder rate, and life-threatening diseases.

NATURAL CHANGE

■ Birth rate (BR) – death rate(DR) = natural increase (NI)

■ Death rate (DR) – birth rate(BR) = natural decrease (ND)

MOVING IN OR MOVING OUT? MIGRATION

This is the movement of people from one country to another (external), such as from Jamaica to the United States, or from one part of a country to another (internal), such as from St Elizabeth to Kingston. Migration may be temporary or permanent and voluntary or involuntary.

There are push factors that influence people to migrate from their country, and there are pull factors that occur in the country of destination.

Identify the push and pull factors in the information below.

REASONS WHY PEOPLE MIGRATE

1. A low standard of living, lack of social services, slow economic growth rates, and unemployment.

2. The desire to live elsewhere.

3. Dissatisfaction with the standard of living and poor working conditions.

4. The desire for freedom to practise religious beliefs.

5. To find political asylum or political freedom, freedom from persecution.

6. To study in foreign institutions

7. To avoid natural disasters. People generally move from one area to another where it is environmentally safe.

8. To live in the cities, because of the availability of