Factors that Affect Population Growth

Factors of Human Population Growth• In addition to changes in population size already

discussed, human population growth is influenced by…

Life Expectancy Fertility Age Structure• We are going to start by exploring how things

differ around the world in terms of life expectancy.

Life Expectancy• Life expectancy is the average number of years

that a person will live. • Based on where and when a person is born.

Life Expectancy• Infant mortality rate - the number of infant

deaths per 1,000 live births. • Infant = Less than 1

• Child mortality - Looks at children 5 and below.

Meet The Oldest Woman!

Nabi Tajima -117!

Fertility• Fertility is communicated in two different ways.

• Total fertility rate - an estimate of the average number of children that each woman in a population will bare.

• Replacement level fertility - the total fertility rate required to offset the average number of deaths in a population. • Required for the

current population size to remain stable.

Typically replacement is 2.1 children!

What happens when…• Total fertility = replacement fertility

• The population will be stable.

• Total fertility > replacement fertility • The population will increase.

Let’s Explore fertility and its impact on population growth!

What Other Factors Affect Fertility?

• Marriage age • Access to

family planning

• Education • Poverty • Urbanization

Factors Influencing Fertility: Education

• Fertility tends to be lower with a higher level of education.

Factors Influencing Fertility: Planning• Family planning allows individuals and couples to

anticipate and attain their desired number of children and the spacing and timing of their births. It is achieved through use of contraceptive methods and the treatment of involuntary infertility. A woman’s ability to space and limit her pregnancies has a direct impact on her health and well-being as well as on the outcome of each pregnancy.

Controversial in US because of the issue of abortion.

Factors Influencing Fertility: Planning

• Family planning reduces fertility rates more.

Red = No Family Planning

Blue = Family Planning

Factors Influencing Fertility: Poverty

• Countries with less affluence tend to have higher population growth rates.

Factors Influencing Fertility: Marriage Age• The younger a woman gets married, the more

children she has. • Marriage age has gone up over time. • There are still some cultures that promote

young girls to get married.

Cultures and Religions play a large role in marriage age

and fertility!

Factors Influencing Fertility: Urbanization• Urbanization tends to reduce the total fertility

rate. • Better access to family planning services. • Need less children to perform essential tasks,

like on a farm.

Exceptions to the Rule Here’s Our DataCountry TFR 1950 TFR 2015

Thailand 6.13 1.5

India 5.91 2.35

China 6.67 1.62

Russia 2.81 1.74

Why Do These Countries See Such A Large Drop?

China: The One-Child Policy China: The One-Child Policy• Incentives and Disincentives to enforce

• Certificate of Honor for Single-Child • monthly stipend, special pension, free water, tax

breaks, etc. • Too many kids leads to fines, salary reduction,

property confiscation, and/or job loss. • Depends on province

Sex ratioCountry RatioAustralia 1.01Canada 0.98China 1.20France 0.96Japan 0.94Kuwait 1.41

United States 0.97World 1.03

The ratio of males to females.

China: The One-Child Policy

• Decrease in labor supply • Pressures from an aging

population

120 males to 100 females

35 million women are missing!