Population Growth

Absolute Population GrowthAbsolute Growth Rate - the actual change in

population from one time period to another time period.

Example:– Sweden Population 1981 = 8,300,000– Sweden Population 1971 = 7,978,000

Absolute Population Change is:8,300,000 - 7,978,000 = +322,000

• Population went up by 322,000 people

Example:– NL Population 2001= 512,930– NL Population 1991 = 568,474

Absolute Population Change is: 512,930 - 568,474 = -55,544

• Population went DOWN by -55,544 people

Growth Rate

• Rate of change in the population• Measured as a ratio of the population change to

the original population.

Population changex 100% = Growth Rate

Original Population

Annual Growth Rate (AGR)

• Measures how quickly the population is increasing (or decreasing).

• Expressed as a percentage.

• FORMULA:

AGR =Population Change

X 100% ÷ years for changeOriginal Population

AGR =Pop. Change

X 100% ÷ years for changeOriginal Pop.

Mexico’s population changed from 49 million to 72 million between the years 1971 & 1981

AGR =72 - 49 million

X 100% ÷ 10 years for change49 million

AGR = 4.7%

AGR =Pop. Change

X 100% ÷ years for changeOriginal Pop.

Sweden’s population changed from 7.9 million to 8.3 million between the years 1971 & 1981

AGR =8.3 – 7.9 million

X 100% ÷ 10 years for change7.9 million

AGR = 0.5%

How Fast is Fast?

• Three categories of growth rates.

• They distinguish among slow, fast and moderately growing populations.

• Fast growing: – AGR > 2%

• Moderately growing:– AGR approx. = 2%

• Slow growing:– AGR < 2%

Trends in population growth rates

• Developing nations usually have a higher growth rate.

• Generally speaking, the more developed the nation - the more stable the population – the lower the growth rate.

• This trend towards lower growth rates should not be confused with decreasing populations.

• The world’s population is still growing at a phenomenal rate.

• Look at figure 18.6 and you can see that we are still increasing the world's population very fast.

World Population Growth

Change in World Population

OVERPOPULATION PROBLEMS

Average # of Children Per Woman

Population Control – the short version!

• More money = • better education = • better jobs = • financial restraints = How so?• need for contraception = • population control.

Population Control

Legislation by government could make it illegal to have more than a certain number of babies.  Is that humane?  How do we ensure the correct number.  What is done with children over the limit? 

Some people have proposed that war and famine used to be our natural means of birth control.  Is this an option?

Population Control

Increasing education of the masses is correlated with decreased births.  Could we help to provide education in developing nations?  Is that humane?

Pension plans & RRSP's allow us to be secure into our old age and we do not have to worry about having children to take care of us.  Is this something we could promote in under-developed nations?

Population Control

We know that education of women is correlated with decreased births.  Is the education of women something we could promote?

Could we provide less expensive birth control for developing nations?

Population Control

Highly developed economies are associated

with decreased birth rates. 

Should we concentrate on supporting improvements to their economies as an ultimate route to controlling birth rates?