SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF RESOURCES
OBJECTIVE 1
Concepts related to human resources:
❖ Population- The total number of people living in a particular area.
❖ Birthrate-This tells us how many babies are born in a place for every 1,000 people in one
year.
❖ Death rate-This tells us how many people die in a place for every 1,000 people in one
year.
❖ Natural increase-This is when more babies are being born than people are dying.
❖ Life expectancy-This is how long a baby born today is expected to live.
❖ Infant mortality rate- It tells us how many babies die before they turn one year old, for
every 1,000 babies born.
❖ Fertility rate-: This is about how many babies a woman is expected to have in her
lifetime.
❖ Migration-This is when people move from one place to another.
❖ Immigration-This is when people come into a new country to live there.
❖ Emigration-This is when people leave their home country to go live in another country.
❖ Net migration-This is like a math problem! We take the number of people who came into
a place (immigrants) and subtract the number of people who left (emigrants)
❖ Brain drain-This happens when a lot of smart, educated people, like doctors or scientists,
leave their home country to go work in another country.
❖ Urbanisation- This is when more and more people move from the countryside to live in
cities.
❖ Depopulation-This is when the number of people living in a place goes down.
❖ Population density-This tells us how crowded a place is. We count how many people live
in a certain amount of space, like one square mile.
❖ Population distribution-This describes where people live in a place. Do they live all over,
or are they mostly in certain areas, like near the coast or in cities?
❖ Dependency ratio- This is a way to see how many people are too young (like kids) or too
old (like grandparents) to work, compared to the number of people who are working.
❖ Employment-This means having a job and working to earn money. If you have a job, you
are employed.
❖ Unemployment- This means someone wants to work and is looking for a job, but they
can't find one. They are unemployed.
❖ Underemployment-This is when someone has a job, but is too qualified for the job..
Like a doctor working as a cashier – they're working, but not in their main field
❖ Unemployable-It means someone doesn't have the skills or training needed for the jobs
that are available
❖ Labour force-This is all the people in a place who are old enough to work and are either
working or looking for a job.
❖ Sustainable development-: This is about making sure we use our Earth's resources wisely
today so that there will be enough for people in the future
❖ Population census-This is like a count of everyone in a country. It is normally done
every 10 years.
❖ Resource-This is anything we can use that comes from nature or is made by people to
help us.
❖ Human resource-This is about people! It means the skills, knowledge, and abilities that
people have.
❖ Development- refers to the process of growth, progress or positive change.
❖ Environment- all the living and non-living things on Earth.
❖ Conservation-- This is the careful preservation and protection of resources to prevent
exploitation and destruction.
❖ Energy- is the capacity to do work.
❖ Renewable resource-A renewable resource is a natural resource which will replenish to
replace the portion depleted by usage.
❖ Natural resource-A natural resource is any material, substance, or organism found in
nature that is useful to people.
❖ Nonrenewable resource-A nonrenewable resource is a natural resource that cannot be
readily replaced by natural means.
❖ Infrastructure-Infrastructure refers to the fundamental facilities and systems serving a
country, including the services and facilities necessary for its economy to function.
❖ Food security-Food security is defined as the state where all people in a country have
enough food for a healthy lifestyle.
❖ Pollution-Pollution is the introduction of harmful materials into the environment.
❖ Global warming-Global warming refers to the long-term heating of Earth's atmosphere.
❖ Green house effect.-The greenhouse effect is a natural process that warms the Earth's
atmosphere. It occurs when certain gases in the atmosphere, known as greenhouse gases,
trap heat from the sun.
❖ Environmental impact and assessment-. An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a
formal process used to predict the environmental consequences of a proposed
development and to recommend appropriate measures.
OBJECTIVE 2
The Characteristics of a Population
We can describe a population by looking at different things (characteristics) about the people in
it. Here are some important characteristics:
● Age and sex structure
● Age Structure: This tells us how many young people, middle-aged people, and older
people are in the population. We can make a special chart called a population pyramid to
show this.
● Sex Structure: This tells us how many boys and how many girls (or men and women) are
in the population.
● Occupation: This is what kind of jobs people have. Are they teachers, doctors, farmers, or
artists
● Ethnicity: This is about the cultural background and heritage of people, like their
traditions, language, and where their families originally came from
● Religion: This is about the different beliefs people have about the world and life
● Dependency Ratio: This is a way to look at how many young children and older people
(who might need more help) there are compared to the number of working-age people
● Life Expectancy: This is how long, on average, people in a population are expected to
live
● Mortality Rates: This is how many people pass away in a certain amount of time in a
population.
● Size: This is simply how many people are in the population. Is it a big population like a
city, or a small population like a tiny village.
● Density: This tells us how crowded an area is. If many people live in a small space, it's
dense. If few people live in a large space, it's not very dense
● Spatial Distribution: This describes how people are spread out in an area. Are they all
living close together in one spot, or are they spread out evenly, or are they in little groups
● Birth Rates: This is how many babies are born in a certain amount of time in a
population.
● Health: This describes how healthy the people in a population are. Do they have good
access to doctors and healthy food
● Education: This tells us how much schooling people in a population have. Do most
people go to school for a long time
● Income Level: This is about how much money people in a population earn. This can tell
us about how wealthy a population is.
● Employment Status: This tells us if people have jobs or if they are looking for jobs.
OBJECTIVE 3
The Sources of Population Statistics
● Government Statistical Offices put together the most accurate picture of how many
people live in a country- this is normally done through a census. This happens every 10
years .
● Registrar of Births, Deaths, and Marriages. This office keeps track of every baby born,
every person who passes away, and every time people get married.
● Records of religious institutions can also give us an idea of how many people live in a
certain area, especially in the past.
●
Immigration and Customs departments track people moving into and out of a country.
When someone comes to live in a new country, they are counted as an immigrant, and
when someone leaves, they are counted as an emigrant.
OBJECTIVE 4
The uses of population statistics
●
For current and future planning related to elections. When it's time to choose new
leaders, like the Member of Parliament or people who make rules for our town, we need
to know how many grown-ups can vote. Population statistics tell us how many people are
old enough to vote and where they live.
● Housing- By looking at population statistics, we can see if more people are moving to our
town or if families are getting bigger. This helps builders know if they need to build more
houses or apartments.
● Health care-Population statistics help us understand how many doctors, nurses, and
hospitals are in our country. This ensures everyone can get the care they need to stay
healthy.
● Education- Population statistics tell us how many children are going to be in school in the
next few years and what educational resources will be needed in the country
● Employment- Population statistics help our country understand how many people are
looking for jobs and what kinds of jobs they are good at.
● Social Welfare- Sometimes, people need a little extra help, like food or a safe place to
stay. Population statistics help the government understand how many people might need
this kind of help.
● Infrastructural and industrial development-Think about all the roads, bridges, and
electricity lines that help our country run smoothly. Population statistics help our town
plan where to build new roads or make existing ones.It also helps decide where to put
new factories or businesses that bring jobs and things we need.
● Population control- Population statistics help leaders understand if the population is
growing too quickly or too slowly. This information can help them make decisions about
how to manage the country's growth in a healthy way
● Sustainable development and management of resources-Our planet has limited resources
like water, trees, and clean air. Population statistics help us understand how many people
are using these resources. This helps our country make smart choices about how to use
our resources carefully so that there's enough for us now and for children in the future.
OBJECTIVE 5
The relevance of specific population statistics to planning for development
Statistics such as employment status, education level, occupation can be used as the basis to:
❖ get a population profile-A population profile is essentially a detailed snapshot of a
country, built upon various statistical data points. Employment status, education level,
and occupation are key components.
❖ plan and make more efficient decisions (for example, elections, housing, health care,
education, employment, social welfare, infrastructural and industrial development)Understanding the demographic makeup of constituencies, including employment status,
education levels, and dominant occupations, helps political parties tailor their platforms
and campaign strategies to address the specific concerns of different voter groups.
❖ know which areas/sectors need attention-These statistics are crucial for identifying
vulnerable populations and designing effective social welfare program
❖
help maximise use of resources- Population profiles ensures that resources are allocated
efficiently and effectively in a country
❖ improve the delivery of social services- Understanding the characteristics and needs of
the population allows for the and improvement of social service delivery in the country
❖ help with transparency and accountability of government spending- When data on
population profiles and government spending are publicly accessible, citizens and
oversight bodies can see how resources are being used and assess the effectiveness of
government programs.
OBJECTIVE 6
Factors influencing population distribution and density
❖ Physical factors-Physical factors play a fundamental role in determining where to live
and how densely populated an area becomes. The physical factors include :
(a) The relief (Topography): Areas with flat or gently relief, such as plains and river valleys,
tend to be more densely populated due to easier construction, agriculture, and transportation.
Mountainous and rugged terrains, conversely, often have sparse populations because of
difficulties in farming, building infrastructure, and accessing resources.
(b) Climate-Moderate climates with sufficient rainfall and suitable temperatures for agriculture
are generally favored for human settlement. Extreme climates, such as deserts (very dry), polar
regions (very cold), and equatorial rainforests (hot and humid with dense vegetation), tend to
have lower population densities due to challenges in survival .
(c ) Soils-Fertile soils are essential for agriculture, which has historically been the primary
economic activity supporting large populations. Riverine plains and volcanic regions often
possess highly fertile soils, leading to higher population densities. Conversely, areas with poor,
infertile soils, like sandy deserts or rocky uplands, support fewer people.
(d) Vegetation-Natural vegetation can both attract and deter settlement. Areas with moderate
vegetation, such as grasslands, are often conducive to agriculture and grazing, supporting higher
populations. Dense forests, particularly tropical rainforests, can hinder settlement and
development due to difficulties in clearing land, disease prevalence, and limited accessibility
(e) Location of natural resources ( water, fertile land, minerals)- Access to fresh water is
paramount for human survival, agriculture, and industry. River basins, oases, and areas with
reliable rainfall or groundwater sources tend to be densely populated. As mentioned with soils,
the presence of fertile land directly supports agricultural productivity, which can sustain larger
populations.The discovery and exploitation of valuable minerals (e.g., coal, iron ore, gold) can
lead to the development of mining towns and industrial centers, attracting significant
populations.
. Human factors
Human factors reflect societal development, economic activities, and infrastructure, significantly
shaping population distribution and density. These factors include:
(a) Industry-Industrial centers and manufacturing hubs attract large populations due to
employment opportunities. The availability of jobs in factories, services, and related sectors
leads to urbanization and high population densities in industrial regions.
(b) Agriculture-While fertile land is a physical factor, the type and intensity of agricultural
practices also influence population density. Intensive agriculture, i, can support very high rural
population densities, whereas extensive agriculture (e.g., ranching) supports lower densities.
( c)Accessibility to transport-Areas with well-developed transportation networks (roads,
railways, ports, airports) are generally more accessible and attractive for settlement and
economic activity.
(d) Infrastructure – The presence of robust infrastructure, including reliable roads, electricity,
communication networks, and sanitation systems, significantly enhances the quality of life and
economic potential of an area. Regions with better infrastructure tend to attract and retain
populations, leading to higher densities. Access to quality social services, such as education
(schools, universities), healthcare (hospitals, clinics), and recreational facilities, is a major pull
factor for populations. Areas with superior social services often experience higher population
densities as people seek better living standards and opportunities
Impact of under and over population on a country’s development
Underpopulation occurs when a country's population is too small to fully utilize its resources and
achieve its optimal economic potential.This can lead to
● Labor Shortages: A small workforce can hinder industrial and agricultural output, leading
to reduced productivity and economic stagnation.
● Aging Population: Often, underpopulated countries face an aging demographic, placing
strain on social security systems and healthcare, with fewer young people to support the
elderly.
● Underutilization of Resources: Vast natural resources may remain undeveloped due to a
lack of human capital and labor, limiting economic growth.
● Reduced Innovation and Market Size: A smaller population can mean a smaller domestic
market, potentially stifling innovation and economic scale
Overpopulation
Overpopulation occurs when a country's population exceeds the environment and resources,
leading to pressure on its systems. This can result in:
● Resource Depletion: Excessive demand for resources like water, food, and energy can
lead to their rapid depletion, environmental degradation, and increased competition
● Environmental Degradation: High population density often correlates with increased
pollution, deforestation, soil erosion, and loss of biodiversity, impacting long-term
sustainability
● Strain on Infrastructure and Services: Overpopulation can overwhelm existing
infrastructure (housing, transport, sanitation) and social services (healthcare, education),
leading to overcrowding, inadequate provision, and reduced quality of life.
● Unemployment and Poverty: A large labor force competing for limited jobs can lead to
high unemployment rates, underemployment, and increased poverty, especially in
developing countries
● Food Insecurity: Despite agricultural advancements, a rapidly growing population can
outstrip food production, leading to food shortages and malnutrition
Examine the factors influencing population distribution and density
examine the factors influencing population distribution and density; Factors influencing
population distribution and density: (a) Physical factors: the relief, climate, soils, vegetation,
location of natural resources – water, fertile land, minerals. (b) Human factors: Industry,
agriculture, accessibility to transport, infrastructure – (roads, electricity) and social services.
Impact of under and over population on a country’s development.
population distribution and density; Choropleth and dot maps. Map reading skills: (a) Title; (b)
North arrow; (c) Key/legend; (d) Scale; and, (e) Border. Note the importance of neatness.