CHAPTER 4: POPULATION: WORLD PATTERNS, REGIONAL TRENDS
OVERVIEW
low rates of both. The transition model may
1. Population geography deals with the growth,
not prevail in all world areas because (1) the
composition, and distribution of people in
death rate has already been lowered without
relation to spatial variations in physical and
corresponding economic development; (2)
cultural geographic conditions. Demographic
emigration as a release for rapid population
measures basic to the geographic analysis
growth is no longer available as it was for
of population include the crude birth rate,
Europe; and (3) existing populations are
crude death rate, and rate of natural
already so large that even lower rates of
increase.
increase
2. The population pyramid gives a visual
still
mean
great
numerical
additions.
summary of the age and sex structure of
6. The world’s population is unevenly distributed,
national populations. The shape of the
with most people found north of the equator,
pyramid differs regionally and between
in lowland zones, on continental margins,
developed and developing countries.
and (decreasingly) in rural areas. Four great
3. Stage of economic development is a principal
world population clusters exist in East Asia,
correlate of birth and fertility rates; the
South Asia, Europe, and eastern Anglo
highest rates are found in the agricultural
America.
regions of developing countries. Death rates
are
less
clearly
associated
with
7. Population density measures include crude
density
and
physiological
density.
in
Overcrowding or overpopulation is not a
underdeveloped countries, mortality declines
density measure; it is a value judgment
have occurred with improved sanitation and
concerning numbers related to resources
medical care.
and environmental degradation.
developmental
level.
Even
4. The doubling time for world population
8. Population data are not fully reliable, but
steadily decreased to a low of 39 years in
projections based on alternate assumptions
1990; since then the trend has reversed,
concerning them suggest that for some
with doubling times rising to over 50 years at
world
the start of the 21st century. The expanding
increasing seriously. Thomas Malthus called
base population is so large that each
attention to the inevitability of unsupportable
additional
population
doubling
results
in
massive
numerical increases.
areas,
population
growth
in
pressures
1798.
are
Neo-
Malthusianism is one spur for national
5. Following a pattern set in northwestern
programs of population control, though
Europe after the Industrial Revolution, many
demographic momentum assures continued
countries have completed a four-stage
growth for many developing countries even
demographic transition during which high
if stringent family planning is adopted.
birth and death rates have been replaced by
EXPANDED KEY WORDS LIST
agricultural density
anecumene
arithmetic density
boomers
Cairo Plan
carrying capacity
census
cohort
cornucopians
crude birth rate (CBR)
crude death rate (CDR)
crude density
demographic equation
demographic momentum
demographic transition
demography
dependency ratio
doubling time
ecumene
epidemiologic transition
homeostatic plateau
infant mortality rate
J-curve
Malthus
mortality rate
natural change
natural increase
neo-Malthusianism
net migration
nonecumene
overpopulation
physiological density
population density
population geography
population momentum
population projection
population pyramid
rate of natural increase
rates
replacement level
S-curve
total fertility rate (TFR)
underpopulation
urbanization
zero population growth
(ZPG)
LECTURE AND DISCUSSION TOPICS
1. The World Population Data Sheet, reproduced in the book appendix, provides a wealth of possibilities
for class discussion and individual or team student reports. Use it to explore such topics as "world
population patterns: A.D. 2025" or "infant mortality, safe water, and per capita gross national product."
The data may be used to construct population profiles for individual countries or world regions. The
profiles may be a springboard for class discussion not only of population itself but of populationrelated concerns of development, environmental degradation, provision of social services,
international tensions, and others. Furthermore, use the data to explore the range of common
variables. For example, have students search for the highest and lowest birth rate, death rate, and
Total Fertility Rates. This helps them develop the ability to quickly determine if the rate for a specific
country is high, low, or average.
2. Evaluate the so-called “population explosion” against the background of such concepts or theories as
physiological and crude densities, Malthusianism and neo–Malthusianism, population pressure, and
the homeostatic plateau.
3. Discuss national political, economic, and investment considerations that might logically be associated
with a population pyramid with sharply angled sides, or one with nearly vertical sides. Relate these
scenarios, with student participation, to possible United States political decisions apt to arise in the
near and long term.
4. Using either a team approach or general class discussion, consider and debate alternative solutions to
defined problems of, for example, world, regional, or national population growth; the consequences of
demographic momentum; neo-Malthusian solutions and their objections.
5. Review the argument presented by Thomas Malthus and explore its applicability to the contemporary
world. With class participation, explore whether technological developments since the late 18th
century have altered the thrust of Malthus’ predictions and how well his predictions pertain to the
developing countries today.
6. Discuss the points of view presented at the Cairo Conference and Cairo + Five by religious leaders,
environmentalists, developing world economists, and advocates of feminist empowerment. Contrast
the final conference declarations to earlier advocacy of “population control” measures.
7. Have students use the following link to download and discuss population pyramids for countries
around the globe. Assign them countries such as the United Arab Emirates that have odd pyramids
(in this case due to guest workers). Contrast a slow-growing country from Eastern Europe with a
rapidly expanding developing country.
http://www.census.gov/ipc/www/idbpyr.html