Theory question 101
PopulationThe table below shows the natural growth rate of the population of country N over a period of time. Use the information contained in the table to answer the following questions.
Year | Birth Rate per '000 | Death Rate per '000 | Natural Growth Rate
1971 | 45 | 32 | L
1972 | 39 | P | 12.50
1973 | 26 | 22 | Q
1974 | R | 22.50 | 4.50
1975 | 26.50 | 22.50 | S
1976 | 20.50 | T | 3.00
(a) Determine L, P, Q, R, S and T.
(b) With the use of a bar chart, graphically present the changes in the natural growth rate over the years. (Use of graph sheet is essential)
(c) Outline any three reasons for changes in birth rate.
Show the model answer
(a) Natural growth rate = birth rate − death rate
L = 45 − 32 = 13; P = 39 − 12.50 = 26.50; Q = 26 − 22 = 4; R = 22.50 + 4.50 = 27; S = 26.50 − 22.50 = 4; T = 20.50 − 3.00 = 17.50
(b) Years on the horizontal axis, natural growth rate on the vertical axis; bars of equal width and equal gaps with heights 13, 12.5, 4, 4.5, 4 and 3; title and scale.
(c) Any three: age at marriage (early or late); use of family planning and contraceptives; level of education, especially of women; religious and cultural beliefs; improved health care for mothers; economic conditions and cost of raising children; government population policy; proportion of women of child-bearing age; urbanisation.
Use birth rate − death rate = natural growth rate and rearrange for the unknown.