Handout 2

FACTORS INFLUENCING POPULATION CHANGE:

An increase in the number in a population is known as population growth. The

growth rate is determined by factors such as natural increase and migration.

BIRTH RATE: -

 The number of live births each year for every thousand of the total
population.
- Birth rate = number of live births × 1000
Mid-year population

Birth rates are affected by such things as:

- Number of women of childbearing age

- Norms regarding family size
- Government policy towards population control

Also the following factors:

 Economic conditions and health care:

- Health care that can be provided
- Implications regarding their access to health care

 Family planning:
- Couple deciding on family

 Culture and religious attitudes:

- Number of children women should have

- Planning family through natural means

 Education:
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- Government programs in family planning education and

counselling
- Individual level of education
- Access to family planning programs and services

 The number of deaths in one year per thousand of the total population.

- Death rate: number of deaths × 1000

Mid-year population

- Natural increase rate = birth rate- death rate

 Factors influencing the death rate:

- Developments/ improvements in medical technology

- Improved infrastructural facilities such as pipe borne water
supplies and sewage disposal;
- Higher standard of nutrition/diet;

 MIGRATION:

The permanent movement of persons from; one geographical location or region

to another.

- Emigration:
o Persons moving away to another country
- Immigration:
o Persons move in from another country.

The effect on the population depends on the relationship between the two types of
migration.
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- E.g., net immigration

Other factors affecting population: -

 Fertility rate: this is affected by social, economic and political factors

which all influence the number of children a family may have.
 Infant Mortality rate: the number of deaths of infants under one year in a
given population.
 Life expectancy: the average number of years that a person can expect to
live.