World Studies Hybrid 2/13 Due Tuesday, 2/17

2. Read the blog post from the PRB about Population Pyramids and do the following:
a. Compare the Population Pyramid for Zambia and for Japan (clickable links
in the text). What are the different conclusions that can be drawn by looking
at total numbers vs. percentages?
Zambias pyramid was in total population in millions of people. This
shows that Zambia has a much younger population. The majority of
the population comes from ages under 25 and there are very big
differences between each age range. The Japan pyramid is in % of
population. This shows that Japan has a fairly equal distribution of
population between each age range, having a slightly smaller
percentage at the older and younger ages. Japans population is
decreasing so the younger, smaller percentage of people may have
trouble supporting the older generations in the future. We can also
see that there is a decrease in percentage of population in the 45-55
age range which corresponds with the increased amount of deaths
during World War II.
d. Draw 10 conclusions and comparisons between the countries that show
the differences in the structure of the population of these countries

As South Africa develops, its pyramid shape will level off more
so there is a more equal distribution of population among
ages.
Birth rates seem to decrease, not as many women having very
large families (amount of children per woman decreases).

Birth rates seem to decrease between 2014-2050, most

probably causing a decrease in population and very even
distribution of population across ages.

Currently, Indias population is exponentially growing causing

the population pyramid to have a very pyramidal shape.
There are more males in the population because of the male
preference practices in India. Many times women will continue
to have children until they produce enough males. (also a
reason why there is such a young population).

As health care improves, more people will live longer causing

there to be a larger older population.
The birth rates will continue at a fairly constant rate, creating
a less pyramidal shape.
India and the US have very similar shapes in 2050.

Due to the one child policy, china will have a much smaller
younger population.
The younger population may have trouble supporting Chinas
economy in the future since there will be a much larger older
population.

3. We watched the first segment of World in the Balance, a case study about Indias
population (0-23:00). Describe the population issues India must address regarding
high birth rates, status of women and poverty. What does their population pyramid
tell you about what needs to be done in the future to support their population
adequately?
In Indias society, women have very little say on how many children they
have. Mother-in-laws and husbands want as many sons as they can have
in order to help take care of them in old age. Because of this, women can
end up having up to 10 children if they are not producing enough male
heirs. Many women also do not have access to contraception practices
because many parts of India live in poverty. Currently, Indias population
is growing exponentially and in order to slow this growth, birth rates need
to decrease. There are not enough resources in India to support much
more people than it already has. It will be difficult to decrease birth rates
because of the male preference and lack of contraception practices
available but it needs to happen in order to reduce the amount of poverty
stricken parts of India and prevent more poverty from arising.
4. Follow the link to: Lesson Plan: 2014 World Population Data Sheet. Complete
Activity 1 (Questions 1-15), use the PRB Data Finder , charts and maps by topic,
International section to view country rankings for each indicator.
1. What is the population of the world? 7.125 billion
2. Countries by population: China, India, United States, Indonesia,
Brazil, Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Russia, Japan
3. Birth rate, death rate, infant mortality rate, net migration rate
4. The crude death rate: Highest: South Africa, Lowest: Qatar
5. The infant mortality rate: Highest: Central African Republic, Lowest:
Hong Kong

6. The total fertility rate: Lowest: Taiwan, Andorra and Hong Kong (1.1
children/woman), Highest: Niger (7.6 children/women)
7. Youngest population: Niger (50%), Oldest population: Japan (26%)
8. Lowest life expectancy: Lesotho (44), Highest life expectancy: Hong
Kong (84)
9. Highest urban population: Africa- Western Saharan Africa, Latin
America- Venezuela, Asia- Japan, Europe- Finland, OceaniaAustralia.
10.
Wealthiest country in terms of GNI PPP: Qatar, 2 nd wealthiest:
Macao
11.
Slowest rate- Serbia (-0.5%), Growing the fastest- Niger (3.9%)
12.
2050 population, population projections
13.
2050: India, China, Nigeria, United States, Indonesia, Pakistan,
Brazil, Bangladesh, The Congo, Ethiopia. Russia and Japan drop out
and The Congo and Ethiopia are added. Bangladesh, Pakistan,
Nigeria, India and Indonesia all move ahead and the US, China and
Brazil all move down.
14.
Less Developed, Less Developed (ex. China), Asia, Asia (excl.
China), South Central Asia, South Asia, East Asia, More developed,
Africa, Americas