6.1.1
Reasons for Growth & Decline
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Global Population Growth
The world’s population has increased exponentially from 1 billion people in 1804 to over 7 billion people today.

Natural increase
- Natural increase is the birth rate minus the death rate.
- Developing countries have higher rates of natural increase.
- Developed countries have very low rates of natural increase and may move to natural decrease soon.
- Africa has the highest rate of natural increase of all the continents.

Birth rate
- Birth rate is the number of live babies born per 1,000 per year.
- There are large numbers of women of childbearing age, so even though the number of births per woman (fertility rate) is generally falling, the population continues to grow.
- This is called demographic momentum.
- Birth rates are still high in less developed countries so the population increases rapidly in these locations.
- Natural increase is particularly true in areas of strong religious beliefs because of beliefs about contraceptives.

Death rates
- Death rates have dropped in the last couple of centuries.
- Death rate is the number of people who die per 1,000 people per year.
- Modern medicine has reduced the effect of illness on humans.
- Vaccines, antibiotics, antivirals can be used to keep people alive now. This means that people live longer.
- More babies survive as antenatal care has improved.

Infant mortality rate
- The infant mortality rate has dropped in the last couple of centuries.
- The infant mortality rate is the number of babies who die within their first year of life per 1,000 per year.

Carrying capacity
- The carrying capacity is the largest number of people that the resources of the planet/a given area can support.
- The carrying capacity of the world has increased with technological advances in food production and resource development.

Impacts of population growth
- A growing population creates more waste, which can cause pollution and health risks.
- Governments must spend more on healthcare, housing, and education to meet rising demand.
- Rapid growth can put pressure on jobs, food, and water supplies, leading to shortages.
- A larger workforce can also mean more tax revenue, which may support economic growth.
- If growth is too fast, it can reduce living standards and increase inequality.
1Paper 1 - Changing River Environnments
1.1Characteristics of Rivers
1.2River Landforms
1.3Rivers: Opportunities & Hazards
1.4The Bradshaw Model
1.5The Drainage Basin & the Water Cycle
1.6Processes Operating in a Drainage Basin
2Paper 1 - Changing Coastal Environments
2.1Physical Processes that Shape the Coast
2.1.1Processes of Erosion2.1.2Corrosion & Corrasion2.1.3Transportation2.1.4Deposition2.1.5Longshore Drift2.1.6Types of Waves2.1.7Case Study: The Holderness Coast (UK)2.1.8Case Study: The Holderness Coast - Management2.1.9Case Study: The Holderness Coast - Defences2.1.10Diagnostic Misconceptions - Swash & Backwash
2.2Landforms
2.3Opportunities & Hazards
2.4Tropical Storms
2.4.1Tropical Storms2.4.2Structure of Tropical Storms2.4.3Causes of Tropical Storms2.4.4Effects of Tropical Storms2.4.5Hazards of Tropical Storms2.4.6Case Study: Hurricane Katrina - Effects2.4.7Case Study: Hurricane Katrina - Responses2.4.8Case Study: Cyclone Nargis - Responses2.4.9Case Study: Cyclone Nargis2.4.10Mathematical Skills: Weather Hazards2.4.11Diagnostic Misconceptions - Rainfall
3Paper 1 - Changing Ecosystems
3.1Antarctic
3.2Threats to the Antarctic
3.3Tropical Rainforest
3.4Tropical Rainforest: Threats
4Paper 1 - Tectonic Hazards
4.1The Structure of the Earth
4.2The Processes of Earthquakes & Volcanoes
4.2.1Earthquakes: Processes & Characteristics4.2.2Earthquake Hazards4.2.3Types of Volcano4.2.4Classification & Features4.2.5Volcanic Hazards4.2.6Diagnostic Misconceptions - Lava4.2.7Diagnostic Misconceptions - Location of Volcanoes4.2.8Diagnostic Misconceptions - Focus vs Epicentre4.2.9Diagnostic Misconceptions - Sliding Plates
4.3The Impacts of Tectonic Hazards
5Paper 1 - Climate Change
5.1Natural & Human Causes of Climate Change
5.2Impacts of Climate Change
5.3Responses to Climate Change
6Paper 2 - Changing Populations
6.1Populations Grow & Decline
6.2Population Structures Over Time
7Paper 2 - Changing Towns & Cities
7.1Where People Live
7.2Opportunities & Challenges of Urbanisation
8Paper 2 - Development
8.1Measuring Development
8.2Uneven Development
8.3Sustainable Development
9Paper 2 - Changing Economies
9.1Changing Employment Structures
9.2Globalisation
9.3Tourism
9.3.1Factors Leading to the Growth of Tourism9.3.2The Butler Model9.3.3Benefits of Tourism - Economic9.3.4Benefits of Tourism - Social, Cultural & Env.9.3.5Problems with Tourism - Economic9.3.6Problems of Tourism - Social, Cultural & Env.9.3.7Managing Tourism - Sustainability & Ecotourism9.3.8Managing Tourism - Quotas & Tourism Hubs9.3.9Case Study: Blackpool (UK)9.3.10Mathematical Skills: Changing Economic World
10Paper 2 - Resource Provision
10.1Food
10.2Patterns of Food Supply & Demand
10.3Challenges of Food Supply
10.4Energy
10.5Patterns of Energy Supply & Demand
Jump to other topics
1Paper 1 - Changing River Environnments
1.1Characteristics of Rivers
1.2River Landforms
1.3Rivers: Opportunities & Hazards
1.4The Bradshaw Model
1.5The Drainage Basin & the Water Cycle
1.6Processes Operating in a Drainage Basin
2Paper 1 - Changing Coastal Environments
2.1Physical Processes that Shape the Coast
2.1.1Processes of Erosion2.1.2Corrosion & Corrasion2.1.3Transportation2.1.4Deposition2.1.5Longshore Drift2.1.6Types of Waves2.1.7Case Study: The Holderness Coast (UK)2.1.8Case Study: The Holderness Coast - Management2.1.9Case Study: The Holderness Coast - Defences2.1.10Diagnostic Misconceptions - Swash & Backwash
2.2Landforms
2.3Opportunities & Hazards
2.4Tropical Storms
2.4.1Tropical Storms2.4.2Structure of Tropical Storms2.4.3Causes of Tropical Storms2.4.4Effects of Tropical Storms2.4.5Hazards of Tropical Storms2.4.6Case Study: Hurricane Katrina - Effects2.4.7Case Study: Hurricane Katrina - Responses2.4.8Case Study: Cyclone Nargis - Responses2.4.9Case Study: Cyclone Nargis2.4.10Mathematical Skills: Weather Hazards2.4.11Diagnostic Misconceptions - Rainfall
3Paper 1 - Changing Ecosystems
3.1Antarctic
3.2Threats to the Antarctic
3.3Tropical Rainforest
3.4Tropical Rainforest: Threats
4Paper 1 - Tectonic Hazards
4.1The Structure of the Earth
4.2The Processes of Earthquakes & Volcanoes
4.2.1Earthquakes: Processes & Characteristics4.2.2Earthquake Hazards4.2.3Types of Volcano4.2.4Classification & Features4.2.5Volcanic Hazards4.2.6Diagnostic Misconceptions - Lava4.2.7Diagnostic Misconceptions - Location of Volcanoes4.2.8Diagnostic Misconceptions - Focus vs Epicentre4.2.9Diagnostic Misconceptions - Sliding Plates
4.3The Impacts of Tectonic Hazards
5Paper 1 - Climate Change
5.1Natural & Human Causes of Climate Change
5.2Impacts of Climate Change
5.3Responses to Climate Change
6Paper 2 - Changing Populations
6.1Populations Grow & Decline
6.2Population Structures Over Time
7Paper 2 - Changing Towns & Cities
7.1Where People Live
7.2Opportunities & Challenges of Urbanisation
8Paper 2 - Development
8.1Measuring Development
8.2Uneven Development
8.3Sustainable Development
9Paper 2 - Changing Economies
9.1Changing Employment Structures
9.2Globalisation
9.3Tourism
9.3.1Factors Leading to the Growth of Tourism9.3.2The Butler Model9.3.3Benefits of Tourism - Economic9.3.4Benefits of Tourism - Social, Cultural & Env.9.3.5Problems with Tourism - Economic9.3.6Problems of Tourism - Social, Cultural & Env.9.3.7Managing Tourism - Sustainability & Ecotourism9.3.8Managing Tourism - Quotas & Tourism Hubs9.3.9Case Study: Blackpool (UK)9.3.10Mathematical Skills: Changing Economic World
10Paper 2 - Resource Provision
10.1Food
10.2Patterns of Food Supply & Demand
10.3Challenges of Food Supply
10.4Energy
10.5Patterns of Energy Supply & Demand
Practice questions on Reasons for Growth & Decline
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