Human Elective- 1. Population

The natural increase is the population growth when there are more births than deaths. The natural decrease is the population growth when there are more deaths than births.

Favourable factors affecting population distribution

1. Physical factorsa. Climate Mild climate with more frost-free days provides a long growing season.b. Sufficient rainfall provide water for irrigation, industry and domestic uses.c. Relief Extensive flatland favour farming, building houses and factories.d. Location Riverside or coastal location have good accessibility and cheap water transport.e. Natural resources Minerals provide raw materials and power for industry.f. Soil There is fertile alluvial soil for growing crops.

2. Socio-economic factorsa. Industrial developments provide job opportunities, higher income and living standard.b. There is good infrastructure, e.g. transport, and social services and facilities, e.g. schools and hospitals.

3. Historical factorsa. Areas with long history of settlement have well-developed towns and cities with good infrastructure.b. These towns and cities are sources of skilled labour supply and are big markets.

4. Government policy may achieve a more balanced population distribution bya. planned migration (e.g. China) andb. encouraged migration, e.g. providing transport and social services.

5. Behavioural factorsa. People prefer to move to familiar places, the perception depends on information and experience.b. People prefer to move to places where there is a similar way of life, language and religion.c. People may migrate in search of excitement and adventure. d. People may migrate to join relatives abroad

China Case Study

China Case study

Demographic Transition Mode lis a generalised model of changes in birth rates and death rates through time.

As countries become industrialised, they experience declines in death rates followed by declines in birth rates.

Stage I High stationary stage - Early agricultural society

1. High birth ratesa. The tradition favours large families.b. There is lack of knowledge for birth control and

family planning.c. Early marriage age means a larger child-

bearing age group.d. The infant mortality rates are high (because of

poor medicine).e. Children will be old age security (because there

is no old age pension or social welfare).f. Children may help in farms.

2. High and fluctuating death ratesa. There is poor nutrition, medicine and sanitation.b. The death rates fluctuate because of disease,

famine and war.3. Small and fluctuating population size

4-2 Stage II Early expanding stage - Beginning of industrialisation

1. High birth rates2. Falling death rates

a. There was improvement in sanitation and hygiene, e.g. clean water.

b. Medical advances led to the elimination of many infectious diseases, e.g. tuberculosis.

c. Higher income led to better living standard, nutrition and social welfare.

d. The infant mortality rates decreased with better medical services.

3. Expanding population size

4-3 Stage III Late expanding stage - Industrialising society

1. Falling birth ratesa. Improvement in education makes people more

aware of birth control.i. The tradition of large families has

changed among the younger generations.

ii. The government have family planning measures.

b. With better education opportunities, children stay at school longer.

i. Women have better job opportunities and prefer not to have many children.

ii. Late marriage makes the child-bearing age group smaller.

c. The country became more industrialised and urbanised.

i. The cost of bringing up children increased.

ii. A small family size maintains a high living standard.

iii. Children werre not allowed to work.d. Children as old age security is less important

(because of better social welfare).e. The infant mortality rate is low.

2. Low death rates3. Expanding population size

4-4 Stage IV Low stationary stage - Industrialised society

1. Low birth rates2. Low death rates3. Large population size

Progressive Stationary Regressive

China Case Study

Look up Romania Case Study to see how Government Policy can be pro-fertility..

Effects of Uneven Population Distribution in China

1. Problems of uneven population distribution in Chinaa. There is population pressure in the densely-

populated areas.b. Rich mineral resources in the sparsely-

populated areas are not developed.c. For strategic reasons, the densely-populated

areas and industrial centres are vulnerable to enemy attack.

2. The Chinese government carried out population redistribution policy which aims

a. to achieve regional self-sufficiency for a more balanced development,

b. to exploit mineral resources (e.g. iron ore, coal) in the interior, and

c. to integrate ethnic minorities.3. Planned migration

a. imports labour to the interior,b. imports skills, technology and farming

techniques to the interior.4. As a result, towns and cities are developed in the

interior.a. Industries are developed.b. Living standard is improved.c. More employment opportunities created.d. Communication with the densely-populated

east is improved.5. However, there were cultural conflicts with the ethnic

minorities.6. Ways to relieve population pressure in the densely-

populated areas

Ireland Case Study

Age and Sex Structure

Dependent population includes the children (aged 0-14) and the aged (aged 65 and over).

a. Dependency ratio  is the ratio of dependent population to the adult population (aged 15-64) x 100%b. Dependency ratio of the aged  is the ratio of the aged population to the adult population x 100%c. Dependency ratio of children  is the ratio of children population to the adult population x 100%

2. Working population a. The economically active population is the people engaged in remunerative occupations.b. The economically inactive population includes housewives, the unemployed, the children and the aged.c. Activity ratio  is the proportion of a population which is economically active.

3. Sex ratio  is the number of males per 1000 females.4. Factors affecting the age and sex structure

a. There is usually more male deaths in wars.b. Most migrants are young males.c. The preference for boys in many societies (e.g. China) results in more male births.d. There are more female than male in the old age group because of a longer life expectancy.

Sample Question

Human Elective- 2. Overpopulation, under-population and optimum population

15 Causes of overpopulation

1. Large population and limited arable land exerts a high population pressure on land.2. High birth rates and low death rates lead to high rates of natural increase and high dependency ratio.3. There is a shortage of natural resources, e.g. minerals.4. Poor transport hinders the exploitation and transportation of resources.5. Poor education and high illiteracy rate lead to

a. a lack of skills and technology to exploit the resources,b. to develop industry, andc. poor farming practices causing soil erosion.

16 Effects of overpopulation

1. Inadequate farmland leads to over-cultivation, causing soil exhaustion.2. Shortage of food supply causes starvation, famine and malnutrition.3. There is increasing rural-urban migration and increasing population pressure .

a. There are housing problems, e.g. squatters   or overcrowding.b. There are unhealthy living conditions, e.g. pollution or fire hazards.c. There is heavy pressure on social services and facilities, e.g. medicine, education, transport.d. There is heavy pressure on infrastructure, e.g. transport. Traffic congestion is common.

4. There is a lack of capital, skilled labour and technology to develop industry.a. Unemployment   causes poverty, low income and low living standard.b. Social problems, e.g. crimes, riots and political instability are common.

17 Solutions to overpopulation

1. Population policiesa. Birth control  and family planningb. Encouraging late marriagec. Changing traditional belief by education

2. Population redistribution a. Planned migration  and encouraged migrationb. Transport improvement and the provision of facilities, e.g. schools, hospitals in the new areas

3. Industrial developmenta. Improving education and transportb. Seeking foreign aids, e.g. grants and loansc. Attracting foreign investment

4. Food supply is increased by improving farming

a. Opening up new farmland, e.g.  terracing   and reclamationb. Irrigation and flood controlc. Using fertiliser, pesticide and insecticided. Introducing new seeds strain, e.g. quick ripening seeds, and better livestock breedse. Introducing high-yielding crop, e.g. soybeanf. In the late 1960s there was a sharp increase in grain production in developing countries (Green Revolution)g. Land reform

i. Redistributing farmland from landlords to farmersii. Farmers who own land their have better incentive to work harder to get a higher yield.

h. Soil conservation , e.g. crop rotation, contour ploughing, afforestation, windbreak and cementing gulliesi. Looking for marine food resources, e.g. fish farming.

Human Elective- Migration 3

1. Migration  is the permanent movement of people from one place (origin) to another (destination).a. Immigration  is the movement of people into a country.b. Emigration  is the movement of people out of a country.c. Net migration  is the excess of in-migration over out-migration.

2. External migration   (EMIGRATION) is the movement of people into and out of a country.

3. Internal migration (IMMIGRATION) is the movement of people within a country, e.g.a. rural-urban migration,b. movement to suburb.

4. Pull factors  are the favourable factors that attract people to the place of destination, e.g.a. job opportunities,b. high income and living standard,c. favourable climate andd. family ties.

5. Push factors  are the unfavourable factors that force people to leave the place of origin, e.g.a. unemployment,b. poverty and low living standard,c. war andd. natural hazards.

6. There are obstacles which limit migration, e.g.a. distance and transport,b. oceans and mountains,c. immigration policy andd. language barrier.

1-2 The pattern of population growth in Hong Kong

- Before 1841 Hong Kong was a fishing village. 1841-1861 Rapid growth (1841) 7 450 - Hong Kong became a British colony and a free port. (1856) 71 730 - As trade expanded, job opportunities attracted immigrants from China. - Tai Ping Rebellion in China in 1850s. (1861) 119 321 - Kowloon became part of the territory in 1860 and its population was added. 1861-1936 Steady growth (1911) 456 739 - Steady growth due to natural increase. - The New Territories became part of the territory in 1898 and its population was added. - Refugees from China when civil war broke out in 1911. 1936-1946 World War II (1936) 988 190 - Refugees from China when Japan invaded China in the 1930s. (1941) 1 639 337 - Emigration of refugees when Japan occupied Hong Kong in 1941. (1945) 650 000 - People returned to Hong Kong after Japan was defeated in 1945. 1946-1961 Rapid growth (1946) 1 550 000 - There was massive immigration of refugees during the civil war in China after 1945. (1951) 2 015 300 - Birth rates were high due to the post-war baby boom. (1961) 3 174 300 1961- Slow growth 

(1971) 4 045 300 - Birth rates decreased and death rates levelled off. (1981) 5 021 066 - Immigration was under control. (1991) 5 919 000

3 Factors affecting population growth in Hong Kong

3-1 Birth rates

1. From 1945 to 1961 High birth rates (about 35 per thousand)a. There was post-war baby boom.b. There was no birth control and family planning.c. Many immigrants from China were young adults in the child-bearing age group.

2. From 1961 to 1990 Falling birth rates (from about 35 to 11 per thousand)a. Improvement in education makes people more aware of birth control.

i. The tradition of large families has changed among the younger generations.ii. The government encourages family planning and sets up the Family Planning Association.

b. With better education opportunities, children stay at school longer.i. Women have better job opportunities and prefer not to have many children.ii. Late marriage makes the child-bearing age group smaller.

c. Hong Kong became more industrialised and urbanised.i. The cost of bringing up children increased.ii. A small family size maintains a high living standard.iii. There was lack of living space in Hong Kong.

3. Since 1990 Low birth rates (about 11 per thousand)

3-2 Deaths rates

1. From 1951 to 1965 Falling death rates (from about 10 to 5 per thousand)a. There was improvement in sanitation and hygiene, e.g. clean water.b. Medical advances led to the elimination of many infectious diseases, e.g. tuberculosis.c. Higher income led to better living standard, nutrition and social welfare.d. The infant mortality rates decreased with better medical services.

2. Since 1965 Low death rates (about 5 per thousand)a. Hong Kong has an ageing population.b. Further improvements in nutrition, medicine and hygiene have been small.c. There is an increase in degenerative diseases, e.g. cancer and heart attack.

3-3 Immigration

1. Immigration from Chinaa. Immigration from China has been the major cause of population growth in Hong Kong.b. There was large influx of refugees

i. during the civil war in China (1945-49) andii. after Communist control in 1949.

c. Since 1981 illegal immigration has been under control.i. In 1979-80, there was very high level of illegal immigration.ii. In October 1980, the touch-base policy was abolished.iii. The immediate repatriation policy was adopted.iv. The security along the border was strengthened.

d. In recent years there are more legal immigrants from China.2. Characteristics of immigrants from China

a. Most immigrants are male.b. Most immigrants are adults between 15 to 34 years of age.

3. Impacts of immigration from China on Hong Konga. The number of marriages increases.b. The number of births increases.c. Population density increases.d. The increased demand for facilities upsets government planning, e.g. housing, education.e. There are housing problems, e.g. overcrowding, squatter settlement.f. Immigrants bring in labour force.g. Entrepreneurs who left China after 1949 brought in skills, innovation and capital.

4. Immigration from Vietnama. From the late 1970s there was large influx of refugees because of political instability in Vietnam.b. From 1991 the non-refugees (boat people) were repatriated to Vietnam.

3-4 Emigration

1. In the 1980s and early 1990s, there was massive emigration to Canada, Australia and the USA due toa. the 1997 problem,b. the relaxation of immigration policies in Western countries.

2. This causes brain drain .3. In recent years, many of these emigrants return to Hong Kong.

B. Composition and Structure of Population

6 Census

1. A census is an official survey of the population of a country.2. In Hong Kong a census is taken by the Census and Statistics Department every 10 years.3. A by-census is taken between two censuses.4. A census provides updated information on the population size, structure, composition and population

distributiona. to find out trend of population changes to make population forecast;b. to predict future population structure and distribution and identify socio-economic problems;c. to plan for facilities and social services, e.g. housing, schools, hospitals; andd. for commercial and industrial uses, and for academic studies.

5. Sex ratio is the number of males per 1000 females.6. Factors affecting the age and sex structure

a. There is usually more male deaths in wars.b. Most migrants are young males.c. The preference for boys in many societies (e.g. China) results in more male births.d. There are more female than male in the old age group because of a longer life expectancy.

8 Population Pyramid

8-1 Progressive population pyramid

1. A developing country has a progressive population (i.e. expanding population).a. The population pyramid is rapid tapering, with a broad base and a narrow apex.

b. There is a high birth rate and a large children group.c. There is a high death rate, a small old age group and short life expectancy.

2. There is a high dependency ratio.3. There is a low GNP per capita and low living standard.4. In the future, there will be a problem of overpopulation.

a. The children spends a lot on education, food, etc.b. There is pressure on social services and facilities, e.g. housing, medicine, education, transport.

8-2 Regressive population pyramid

1. A developed country has a regressive population (i.e. contracting population).a. The population pyramid is inverted-top shaped, with a narrow base and a broad apex.b. There is a low birth rate and a small children group.c. There is a low death rate, a large old age group and long life expectancy.

2. There is a low dependency ratio.3. There is a high GNP per capita and high living standard.4. In the future, there will a problem of ageing population.

a. It will have a high dependency ratio of the aged.b. The old age group needs old age pension, medical care, home for the aged etc.

8-3 Other population pyramids

1. A stationary population pyramid is regular tapering.

The country has stable birth rates and death rates for a long time, e.g. the Philippines.

2. An intermediate population pyramid has either a neck or a bulge.

The country may have been affected by war, natural disasters or migration.9 Employment Structure

1. In developing countries, most of the working population engage in primary activities.2. In developed countries, most of the working population engage in secondary and tertiary activities.

a. Farm mechanisation releases farm labour.b. There is capital and better education for industrialisation.c. There are more job opportunities in industry and services.d. With urbanisation and high living standard, there is great demand for manufactured products and

services.

C. Population Distribution

10 Population distribution in China

1. Population in China is unevenly distributed.2. If we draw a 45o line from SW to NE dividing China into two parts.

a. 45% of the total area in the SE of this line accounts for 94% of the total population.b. 55% of the total area in the NW of this line accounts for 6% of the total population.

3. Densely populated areasa. North China Plainb. Middle Chang Jiang Basin and Chang Jiang Delta

c. Sichuan Basind. Xi Jiang Basin

4. Moderately populated areasa. Northeast Chinab. South China Highlands

5. Sparsely populated areasa. Xinjiang (NW China)b. Xizang (SW China)

D. Population Problems and Solutions

13 Malthus theory of population

1. In 1798 Thomas Malthus published a book An Essay on the Principle of Population.2. Land is in fixed supply but population will double every 25 years.3. Food supply increases in arithmetic progression (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ...).4. Population increases in geometrical progression (2, 4, 8, 16, 32, ...).5. As population is growing faster than the food supply, people will face poverty and starvation in the future.6. Population will fall due to widespread famine, disease and war.