Population Patterns in Africa

Natural Increase

Birth Rate - Death Rate = Natural IncreaseAfrica’s birth rates remain high, while death rates

have dropped dramatically.At an average 2.3% growth rate annually,

Africa’s population will double in 30 years.

Western Influences

1. Better access to health care increases life expectancy.

2. Reductions in maternal mortality allows mothers to continue having babies.

3. Increased infant survival through better newborn care, immunizations, etc.

4. Columbian Exchange- introduction of American crops diversified the African diet.

Cultural Values

1. Ancestor Worship- many children help ensure the immortality of one’s lineage.

2. Polygyny- the practice of multiple wives.

3. Personal prestige for women comes through child bearing.

4. Children are viewed as a retirement account, because they take care of parents in old age.

Household Economics

1. Wealth flows from child to parent; children are workers on the family farm.

2. Stoop Labor- agriculture performed by hand, therefore more hands means less work.

3. Bride Price- compensation of a bride’s family by the groom’s family for the loss of a worker.

Status of Women

1. Women are in charge of producing most of the food for the family.

2. Every African woman wants children for cultural & economic reasons.

3. Too early, too many, too close, too late.

4. An elementary education for women tends to lower birthrates.

5. Urbanization also lowers birthrates.

HIV/AIDS

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)– In Africa HIV is spread primarily by heterosexual contact.

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)– AIDS is a gradual deterioration of the immune system

caused by HIV.

2007 Total: 33 million (30 – 36 million)

Western & Central Europe

730 000730 000[580 000 – 1.0 million][580 000 – 1.0 million]

Middle East & North Africa380 000380 000

[280 000 – 510 000][280 000 – 510 000]

Sub-Saharan Africa22.0 million22.0 million

[20.5 – 23.6 million][20.5 – 23.6 million]

Eastern Europe & Central Asia

1.5 million1.5 million [1.1 – 1.9 million][1.1 – 1.9 million]

South & South-East Asia4.2 million4.2 million

[3.5 – 5.3 million][3.5 – 5.3 million]

Oceania74 00074 000

[66 000 – 93 000][66 000 – 93 000]

North America1.2 million

[760 000 – 2.0 million]

Latin America1.7 million1.7 million

[1.5 – 2.1 million][1.5 – 2.1 million]

East Asia740 000740 000

[480 000 – 1.1 million][480 000 – 1.1 million]Caribbean230 000

[210 000 – 270 000]

People Living with HIV

A Global View of HIV

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34048658/ns/health-aids/t/global-view-aids-epidemic/#.TwNpUkeBpQM

HIV/AIDS

1. Areas that have experienced war & civil unrest have a higher occurrence of AIDS.

2. Drugs to treat the disease are very expensive.

3. Funerals in Africa are important events. People are away from work in the fields to attend funerals of family members.

4. Education & breaking the cycle AIDS follows is the key to stopping its spread.

Impact of AIDS on Families

1. The cycle begins when the husband contracts the disease from a prostitute & eventually dies.

2. The wife gets the disease from her husband. But the time from exposure to death is shorter for women.

3. The children are sent to live with other family members, usually grandparents.

4. When the grandparents die, it often leaves the oldest child as head of the household.

5. Crime & prostitution can become a problem for young people desperate to support their family. The cycle then repeats itself.

School is a Protective Factor