Anthony Haynes Module 5-FRQ

For each of the basic shapes of population pyramids (expanding, declining, and
stable) discuss how the following terms/concepts are revealed in the shape of the pyramid:
birth rates, death rates, dependency ratio.


The shape of a population pyramid relies upon specific conditions within the
population in question, largely resulting in either an expanding, stable, or declining
pyramid.
Expanding population pyramids tend to have wide bases and narrowing peaks. This
formation results from high, stable, or higher birth rates or CBR in comparison to low or
lower death rates or CDR. The high(er) birth rate leads to a large percentage of the
population being located at the base of of the pyramid, whereas there is a small percentage
located at the top. The dependency ratio generated by such a pyramid is high, those of
working age must support the large quantity of youth-those too young to work and support
themselves-within the population as well as the paltry amount of the elderly-those too old to
work and support themselves.
Stable population pyramids are portrayed as much more evenly distributed
structures, possibly resembling columns more so than pyramids. Within these structures
CBR and CDR are rather equivalently matched, the birth rate of the population is
regenerating the population although not enlarging it, the death rate also follows a similar
routine of not significantly decreasing the population but still retaining a constant decrease.
The dependency ratio in a stable population pyramid is located at or around one, this
means that for every one person located in the dependency range there is one person in the
working age range.
Declining population pyramids resemble tops in form, with narrow bases and
expanding peaks. In these specific structures a population is being afflicted with a low or
lower CBR in comparison to a high, stable, or higher CDR. The low CBR leads to little of
the population being replenished although over time combated against a stable CDR the
population begins to diminish, eventually devastating the population. The dependency ratio
of a declining population pyramid is also high, reserving multiple people who lie in the
dependency range for one individual in the working age range.



For each of the basic shapes of population pyramids (expanding, declining, and stable) give
an example of a country with each shape and discuss two geographic challenges they face in
the future.
Indonesia is one such example of a country with an expanding population, but with
current circumstances in context the island nation may run into a plethora of difficulties.
The country of Indonesia currently holds the title for the fourth largest population in the
world, although in its abundance of people it lacks land. The amount of arable land and in
turn the physiological density of Indonesia is being strenuously affected by the rapid
population growth, as the amount of people increases the land must be transitioned to
accommodate them, but in doing so the amount of arable land is decreased. Related to the
issue of land rarity is that of the arithmetic density, as the population increases more and
more people must learn to live upon the same amount of land, ultimately leading to densely
packed slums. The main issues that shall result are widespread disease and poverty.
Norway is an example of a country with a stable population, although it may appear
there are little to no issues a stable country will encounter they indeed exist, although
severity is diminished. The most prevalent challenge Norway may face is economic
stagnation, without youth readily available to not only revitalize the economy but to
stimulate it economic growth shall remain at a current pace, this does not necessarily harm
the country although it is not benign either. Another issue Norway may encounter is that of
maintaining stability, a population is not only affected by the CBR, CDR, and NIR, issues
such as disease, natural disasters and war may also dramatically affect the stability in
place.


Japan is likely the most iconic example of a country with a declining population,
there are many challenges such a country may find themselves battling although the
majority of these are human related. Japan has a high dependency ratio, there is a large
amount of people over the age of sixty four, meaning that less people within the workforce
must help and take care of the elderly such as by generating welfare and providing health-
care. Yet the issue not only lies with the peak of the pyramid, but with the base as well: the
NIR of Japan is extremely low, meaning there are few youth available to replace the
already weakened workforce, in time this will not only lead to economic stagnation, but to
an economic crash.

What impact does the shape (expanding, declining, and stable) of a country's population
pyramid have on migration issues? Use specific examples in your response.
The condition of a countries population often affects the migration policies that said
country have emplaced, either limiting migration or being more lenient on the subject of
the matter. America is an
example of a country in which the expanding population pyramid is directly affected by
migration: as with many MDCs America would have a declining population, although the
large amount of immigrants that come to the country actually reverse this process, but due
to the surge of migration there are also many restrictions. The main impact is the severity
of immigration laws and the difficulty in obtaining access to the country, this also leads to
illegal immigration from countries largely in South America.
Russia is an example of a country in which there is a declining population, due to the fact
that the country is largely uninhabited and sparse in some regions the Russian government
has emplaced incentives for immigrants. To combat the decline that grips the country and
to avoid problems such as those in Japan the Russian government has been welcoming
towards immigrants although they still retain standards for which these immigrants come,
in effect speaking honeyed but harsh words.
Iran is an example of a country with a relatively stable population pyramid, the native
inhabitants of the country are largely responsible for this, as little immigration or
emigration occurs. Due to the ability of the people of the country to control their own
population as needed little is done to advocate immigration, although other factors such as
war do have an impact upon the country. Such as the occupation of American troops in the
country who were engaged with terrorist forces, or those who fled the country to escape the
combat.