Lecture Notes on Population Growth, Fertility Rates, and Migration

Introduction

• Global population trends:
  • 1999: World's population hit 6 billion.
  • 2011: Reached 7 billion.
  • Expected to reach 8 billion by end of 2022 or start of 2023.
• Decline in global total fertility rates:
  • 1950: TFR was 4.86.
  • 2021: TFR declined to 2.23.
• Factors contributing to these trends include urbanization, economic opportunities, education for women, and cultural shifts.

Women's Role in Society and Population

• Increased access to quality education for women:
  • Gains in skills beneficial for workforce and society.
  • Leads to reduced infant mortality rates (IMR) and healthier children.
• Education and workforce participation:
  • Educated women spend more time in school and work.
  • Leads to delayed childbirth and smaller family sizes.
• Correlation between gender inequality and fertility rates:
  • Countries with less opportunities for women often have higher TFR.
  • Economic opportunities for women lead to lower TFR.

Economic and Societal Factors

• Cost of raising children:
  • Higher in developed (core) countries; children are seen as economic burdens.
  • In developing (periphery) countries, larger families are economic assets.
• Improved healthcare systems reduce maternal and infant mortality rates.
• Family planning and contraceptives decrease NIR (Natural Increase Rate).
• Education influences cultural attitudes and gender norms:
  • Reduces TFR by shifting away from traditional gender roles.

Political Factors

• Government policies impact NIR:
  • Pronatalist policies encourage higher birth rates (e.g., maternity leave).
  • Lack of support can lead to lower birth rates.

Migration Patterns

• Ravenstein's Laws of Migration:
  • Economic motivations dominate migration, mostly among young adults.
  • Migration typically occurs over short distances and in steps.
  • Moves from rural to urban areas; larger cities attract more migrants.
  • Migration streams create connections between original and new locations.
  • Urban growth is more due to migration than natural increase.
  • Gravity model: Larger cities have more pull factors.
• Shift in gender of migrants:
  • Traditionally, international migrants were young males.
  • Increasing number of female international migrants due to more workforce participation and financial freedom.

Conclusion

• Economic development and opportunities for women influence both fertility rates and migration patterns.
• Migration contributes to economic development by introducing new goods, ideas, and businesses.
• Changes in traditional gender norms are impacting migration patterns.

Note: This lecture was a review of global demographic trends focusing on the role of women, economic and societal factors, and migration laws. Mr. Sin encourages students to further explore these topics through additional resources such as the AP Human Geography review packet.