Theory question 101
Population(a) Write explanatory notes on any two of the following: (i) Population density; (ii) Birth rate; (iii) Optimum population. (b) In what four ways can the problems of under population be solved?
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(a)(i) Population density: number of people per unit area (total population ÷ total land area), e.g. persons per km²; high where resources are rich, low in deserts and forests.
(ii) Birth rate: number of live births per 1,000 people in a year; high in developing countries; used with the death rate to find natural increase.
(iii) Optimum population: the number of people that can make the best use of the available resources, giving the highest income per head; more people gives overpopulation, fewer gives underpopulation; it changes with technology.
(b) Encourage immigration of skilled people; incentives for large families (child allowances, free education and health care); pronatalist policies (discourage birth control); improve health care to cut deaths; develop and exploit resources with better technology; increase food supply and employment.
Write two or three sentences on each chosen term.