Population Distribution
The world's population is unevenly distributed. You are asked to compare the West of Ireland and Dublin to examine this. You are also asked to examine an international example. The most popular international comparison is observed between the North and South of Italy. The cause for the uneven distribution in population is examined in relation to resources and terrain as well as social and historical issues.
Factors Affecting Population Change
You are also required to explain the factors which affect population change. These factors are:
1. Food supply - this directly impacts population growth as food is required to support life. Without a sufficient food supply the world's population cannot continue to grow. Less food will cause more deaths (increase the death rate) causing the population to decrease.
2. War - this impacts population growth as the death rate of an area will suddenly increase. After war there is traditionally an increase in birth rates when soldiers return to their families.
3. Technological development - when progress is made in technology this can reduce death rates through medical equipment etc.
4. Health - this ties in with technological development. Advancements in medicine recently have improved the health of the Earth's population which reduces the death rate.
5. Education - the role of education in a society can help in reducing family sizes (reducing birth rates) as people will be familiar with the financial expenses of having large families.
6. Role of women in society - certain societies restrict the role of women to remain in domestic (household) work. However in more developed societies woman can get involved in a career which means they are less likely to raise a family and reduces birth rates.
The Population Life Cycle
The population life cycle diagram depicts the five stages that a society goes through in the transition from a developing region to a developed region. This means it shows the population change in an area as it changes from a poor region to a richer region. The birth rate, death rate and overall population change can be seen in each of the five stages.
Optimistic View of Population Growth
The world's population will stop growing as birth rates will reduce when developing countries improve their education systems
Pessimistic View of Population Growth
The world's population will continue to grow at the current rate and we will run out of space and resources to sustain the population