Population Dynamics
1. Fill in the blanks.
a. Population refers to the total number of people inhabiting in a specific area.
b. The highest population density has been recorded in the riverine plains of Asia.
c. Mongolia, a desert country in Asia, records the lowest population density of two people per sq. km.
d. The direct impact of overpopulation is the depletion of resources.
e. The Crude Birth Rate is expressed as number of live births in a year per thousand of population.
f. Discrepancy in Sex Ratio in India persists as female foeticide still continues in many parts of the country.
2. Differentiate between:
a) Difference between Overpopulation and underpopulation:
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b) Difference between Emigrants and immigrants:
=
c) Difference between Features of population pyramid of a developed country and developing country:
=
3. Answer in one or two words.
a. Distribution of population per unit area.
= Population Density.
b. A certain number of population ideal for sustainable use of available resources.
= Optimum Population.
c. Official enumeration of population once in a decade.
= Census.
d. People who move out of a country.
= Emigrants.
e. Number of females per 1000 males.
= Sex Ratio.
4. Answer in one or two sentences:
a) How is population distribution connected to resources?
= Availability of vast stock of natural resources increases job prospects which increases the number of population in an area.
b) What is the rate of increase in population now? What has been the trend of the population growth?
= The population in the world is currently (2017) growing at a rate of around 1.11 % per year. It is a down from 1.18% in 2016.
c) Where are the maximum number population in Asia located? Give reasons for the same.
= The maximum people in Asia located in the riverine plains of Asia. Vast fertile lands, ample water supply from rivers, high productivity of crops are some of the favourable conditions contributed to a higher density of population in these regions.
d) Name the major regions of the world having high density of population.
= The major regions of the world having high density of population are - the Ganga Plains of India, industrial north-west European countries like France, UK, Germany and Denmark; North and South American countries like US, Mexico and Brazil; the African regions like the Nile Valley, Mediterranean coast, Guinea cost and Cost of South Africa.
e) Name the regions having a very low density of population in the world. State two reasons for the same.
= The regions having very low density of population in the world are - Mongolia, a desert country in Asia; Iceland, Suriname, Botswana, Namibia and northern Canada.
Insufficient arable land and water supply along with the lack of transportation and unfavourable climatic conditions are responsible for the low population growth in the regions.
f) State four consequences of overpopulation.
= Four consequences of overpopulation are -
i)Overpopulation creates unemployment as there will be stiffer competition for fewer available jobs.
ii) Overpopulation results in growth of slums and unhygienic living conditions, as availability of land to accommodate the rising population will be insufficient.
iii) Prices of commodities will rise and cost of living will increase.
iv) It will also result in more burning of fossil fuel and generate greater deforestation leading to global warming. Population pressure on land will also lead to loss of biodiversity.
g) Assign one advantage and one disadvantage in a situation and of under-population.
= One advantage of under-population is that this situation results in better job opportunities in absence of fierce competition.
One disadvantage of under-population is it yields insufficient skilled labour force.
h) What are the major factors determining population change?
= The major factors determining population change are - crude birth rate, crude death rate, population growth rate and migration.
i) What is meant by crude birth rate? What does a high birth rate signify?
= Crude birth rate it is the number of the live child births per 1,000 persons in a given geographical area per year.
High birth rate creates pressure on resources and finally leads to food crisis and poverty.
j) What is meant by crude death rate? What does high death rate signify?
= It is the number of deaths per 1,000 people in a given geographical area in a year.
High death rate signify the population structure of a developing country where advantages of better medical care, education and high standard of living are lacking.
k) How does migration affect population change?
= Migration leads to increase in population and growth of new towns and cities. It also allows cultural enrichment in the receiving country on the other hand large scale migration may cause overcrowding in big cities.
l) Why is age composition important in the study of population?
= Age composition is important because it signify the rate of use of resources and the capacity to work.
m) What does population pyramid show?
= Population pyramid shows age wise increase or decrease of male female population of a country.
n) In a developing country, how would the pyramid look like? What changes you notice in the birth rate and death rate?
= The pyramid of a developing country has a broad base and tapering top. In a developing country both the death rate and birth rate are high. The bars of the young dependent people are bigger while the bars of the old dependent people are very small.
o) Old age population is high in which type of countries? What are its reason?
= Old ages population is high in developed countries.
Its reasons are higher living standards and good quality of life in this country.
p) Which country is lead in rural population? Give reasons for your answer.
= India has the largest rural population followed by China. Both the countries have agrarian economy. Large number of people are engaged in farming operations as both have a very high population and an ever increasing demand for food.
6. Thought-provoking questions:
a) What reasons would you assign in for a rapid population growth in the developing countries?
= Birth rates are higher in developing countries as the need to generate more helping hands is greater in the poor families.
b) How is birth rate and death rate related to population change?
= If the birth rate is greater than death rate, population increases. On the other hand, if the death rate is higher than birth rate, population decreases.
c) What are the Social changes expected out of migration?
= Migration allows cultural enrichment in the receiving country. Migration may lead to problems of racial tension. It causes overcrowding in big cities which may lead to unemployment.
d) What are the negative impacts of a large immigrant population?
= A large immigrant population may lead to overcrowding in cities and unemployment and racism.
e) Why is there any negative growth rate of population in developed countries?
= There is a negative growth rate of population in developed countries as both men and women are working and living standards are high.
f) What are the consequences of rapid population growth?
= The consequences of rapid population growth are - depletion of resources, unemployment, growth of slums and unhygienic living conditions, price rise of essential things, deforestation and global warming.
g) What can be the reasons for a higher percentage of urban population in the world?
= The reasons for a higher percentage of urban population in the world are - increasing economic development and 'access to resources' that is an easy way of earning livelihood.