Concepts of Biology (BIOL116) - Dr. S.G. Saupe; Biology Department, College of St. Benedict/St. John's University, Collegeville, MN 56321; ssaupe@csbsju.edu; http://www.employees.csbsju.edu/ssaupe/

 

Population Growth Exercises

    These questions can be answered by using the data supplied by on-line sources such as the Population Reference Bureau.  Click here to go to the 2003 World Population Data Sheet published by the Population Reference Bureau.  For more exercises, visit the Teaching Section of the PRB.

1. What is the current world population? __________

2. What is the predicted world population in 2025? _______    2050? _____

3. What percent of the world's population lives in developed nations? _____   Less developed nations? ______

4. List the 10 most populous countries in 2003 and that are predicted in 2050.  

Rank	2003	2050
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

5. Name the most populous continent. ______________
    

6. Which continent has the highest rate of population growth? __________ lowest? __________
    

7. Which countries (name 2 or 3) have the highest rate of population growth. ___________________________
    

8. Which countries (name 2 or 3 ) have populations that are no longer growing? ________________________
    

9. In what year is the world population predicted to be twice as large as today ?______
    

10. In what year will the population of North America be twice as large? ______
     

11. Rates are often used to tell how frequently a population or demographic event is occurring. List the types of information expressed as a rate in the population data sheet.
    
     

12. The crude death rate is the annual number of deaths per 1000 population.  Which country has the highest CDR?__________  lowest? ___________
     

13. Infant mortality measures the number of deaths each year to infants under one year of age per 1000 live  births.  Which country has the highest infant mortality rate and what is it? ____________  lowest? _____________
     

14. The total fertility rate (TFR) is the average number of children women would have if they maintained the current level of fertility throughout their reproductive years.  Which country(s) has the highest TFR and what is it? ____________   lowest? ___________
     

15.  Which country is the wealthiest in terms of per capita Gross National Product (GNP)? ______________  Second wealthiest?_______________
     

16. A population grows because more people are moving in than out and/or because there are more births than deaths.  The difference between births and deaths is expressed as a percentage called the rate of natural increase.  Which region is growing the fastest through natural increase? _____________  Which most slowly? _________
     

17. Which country adds more people to its population yearly, China or India (hint:  calculate by applying the rate of natural increase to the population).
     

18. How many people does the United States add annually to its population?  ________   How many would be added if the US population grew at the same rate as Kenya? ________
     

19. Select four countries whose populations are growing at a 0.1 percent rate of natural increase or less.   Then, choose four countries whose populations are growing at a 3.0 percent rate of natural increase or more  (note:  don't select any countries in the Middle East.  Why are Saudi Arabia and some of the oil-rich countries exceptions?).  Then, fill in the table with the following data for each country: infant mortality rate (IMR), total fertility rate (TFR), % under age 15, Life expectancy, % urban, GNP.  

Growth	Country	IMR	TFR	% Under 15	Life Expect.	% Urban	GNP
Low
High

     Calculate the mean for each and summarize in the table below.  What conclusions can you make? 

Category	High Growth Countries	Low growth Countries
Infant mortality
Total Fertility
Population Under 15
Life expectancy
Urban Population
Per capita GNP

| Top| SGS Home | CSB/SJU Home | Biology Dept | Biol116  Section Home Page | Concepts Home Page | Disclaimer |