Geography Unit 1

Unit One - Population and Settlement (21%) (29 hours)

POPULATION

Introduction

What is Population?

Population means the total number of people (men, women and children) living in a particular place / country over a specific period of time.

Population is closely associated with demography.

The term “demography” is derived from the Greek word “demos” means a person and “graphy” means study. John Graunt is known as father of demography.

What is study of population?

The study of population means the study of the size, structure and composition of population and its spatial distribution in a country. It also includes other related aspects of population such as fertility, migration and urbanizations.

Population structure and population characteristics

Population structure means the age and sex structure of the population, while population characteristics includes various aspects of population such as the marital status, literacy levels of the population, occupational structure and income level of various groups of population living in different parts of the country or region.

Study of Population is multi-disciplinary in nature.

 The study of population is multi-disciplinary in nature because it requires some understanding of biology, genetics, mathematics, statistics, economics, sociology, cultural anthropology, psychology, politics, geography, medicine, public health, ecology, etc.

The multi-disciplinary nature of population and its relationship with other fields of study makes it an interesting field of study in social science.

Population Pyramid

Graphical illustration that shows the distribution of various age and sex group in population

Population Pyramid of Bhutan

Why do we observe world population day?

The world population day is observed on July 11. We observed it in order to remind the people that the size of population and rate at which it is increasing are formidable problems for the future of the world

Reasons for rapid growth of population

1.      Better medical facilities

2.      Early marriage

3.      Illiteracy

4.      Early marriage

5.      Un-employment

6.      Lack of contraceptic

7.      Lack of family planning

Measures to check rapid growth of population

1.      Late marriage

2.      Literacy to everybody

3.      Family planning

4.      Employment

5.      Use of contraceptive measure

Effects of rapid growth of population

1.      Land fragmentation

2.      Starvation

3.      Pollution

4.      Un-employment

5.      Pressure on basic needs

6.      Social problems

Problems of over population

1.      Rapid population growth

Higher birthrate and lack of family planning in under-developed countries resulted in rapid population growth. This means we have more number of young people in population who are depended on relatively small working population

2.      Un-employment

In most of under developed countries, industries are not well established and there are only few employment opportunities for unskilled workers. Therefore unemployment is very high in these countries

3.      Housing and health problems

More population caused problems of housing and health problems. In such case most people live in overcrowded places were sanitation and standards of living are very poor

4.      Underutilization of agriculture resources

Agriculture resources are not fully utilized because they adopted traditional methods of farming and output is very low

Problems of under-population

1.      Un-even distribution of population

The average densities of under populated countries are very low and in many areas there are no people to live. Small population increases slowly even though birth rate is often high. Here immigration is main source of population

2.      Remoteness

Since population is very less, it is uneconomic to provide basic infrastructure to the people in the village. This intern increases the unwillingness of people to settle in remote places

3.      Underutilization of resources

Lack of population makes it difficult for country to utilized most of its resources

4.      Slow growth of industries

The growth of industries is very slow in under populated countries due to shortage of labour

Population problems of advanced countries

1.      Ageing population

As the birth rate is very slow the proportion of young population is relatively small. As a low death rate and high life expectancy more proportion of older people in population, which are unproductive and depended on working population

2.      Small work force

As educational standard improve children remain longer at school and join work force late. Despite high degree of mechanization, most advanced countries are short of work force

3.      Rural depopulation

Towns provide basic amenities such as shops, entertainment and better social services. For this reasons most rural population move to town which has resulted in rural depopulation 

4.      Urbanization

With increases in population the towns expand and give pressure on existing facilities such as transport, water supply and sewage which increases urbanization

Questions to check your learning

1.      What is Population?

Ans - Population means the total number of people (men, women and children) living in a particular place / country over a specific period of time.

2.      What is study of population?

Ans – It means the study of the size, structure and composition of population and its spatial distribution in a country.

3.      What is Population structure?

Ans - Population structure means the age and sex structure of the population.

4.      What do you understand by population characteristics?

Ans – It means various aspects of population such as the marital status, literacy levels of the population, occupational structure and income level of various groups of population living in different parts of the country or region.

5.      Why study of population is considered as multi-disciplinary in nature?

Ans - The study of population is multi-disciplinary in nature because it requires some understanding of biology, genetics, mathematics, statistics, economics, sociology, cultural anthropology, psychology, politics, geography, medicine, public health, ecology, etc.

Differences between rural population and urban population

Rural population	Urban population
1.     Rural population is mostly engaged in agriculture and other primary occupation 2.     Population growth is low in rural compared to cities 3.     Rural life is slow and social relations are informal and homely 4.     Rural population has no housing problems, but many village face the problems of drinking water	.     Urban population is engaged in secondary and tertiary occupation .     Population growth is higher in urban population due to migration .     City life is fast, social relation are formal         Urban population faces problems of housing,health,drinking water and transportation

Population of Bhutan compared with Major countries

Bhutan is relatively a small country in terms of the population size with about 6, 34,982 persons in total (as per census of 2005).

In fact, in the region of South Asia, Bhutan is one of the least populated countries, compared with other SAARC members.

Sources of Population data

Three important sources of population statistics or data on population in Bhutan are the following:

1.      Population census.

2.      Vital registration system.

3.      Sample survey.

Population census

The most important source of data on population is the population census.

A census of population is the total process of collecting, compiling, evaluating, analyzing and publishing demographic, economic and social data pertaining, at a specified time, to all persons in a country, or, in a well-defined part of a country.

In most countries census is taken at a regular interval of 5 or 10 years. But in Japan and United Kingdom census is conducted at interval of 5 years

Importance of population census

1.      The censes provides us with demographic, economic and social data for every person within a well-defined boundary, for a specified period of time. The data on demographic characteristics includes fertility, mortality and migration.

2.      The census provides detailed picture of age and sex structure of the population, besides marital status etc.

3.      The census also provides data on the occupational structure and the income level of the population. The socio-cultural data means the data related to the rural / urban distribution of the population, the level of education and the religious and linguistic composition of the population.

Questions to check your learning

1.      List down three important source of population statistics or data on population in Bhutan.

Ans –1. Population census. 2. Vital registration system and 3. Sample survey.

2.      What do you mean by population census?

Ans - A census of population is the total process of collecting, compiling, evaluating, analyzing and publishing demographic, economic and social data pertaining, at a specified time, to all persons in a country, or, in a well-defined part of a country.

3.      Differentiate between the demographic data and the socio-cultural data.

Ans – Demographic data includes data on fertility, mortality and migration while the socio-cultural data includes the data related to the rural / urban distribution of the population, the level of education and the religious and linguistic composition of the population.

1.     Census in Bhutan

In Bhutan the first census was carried out in 1958.   But the country’s first modern census was undertaken in 1969 and second in 1980. This census put the population of Bhutan in exaggerated numbers because of large number of labour migrants from neighboring countries. Hence, a country-wide census was finally conducted in 2005.

As per 2005 census finding, the total population of Bhutan was 634,982.

Population census greatly helps us in nation-building especially for national economic development processes because the census data are widely used in all types of planning processes, both at the national level and also at the local level like the GYTs and DYTs in Bhutan.

Questions to check your learning

1.      Describe any two importance of population census.

Ans – Firstly, it provides us with demographic, economic and social data for every person within a well defined boundary, for a specified period of time.

Secondly, the census provides detailed picture of age and sex structure of the population, besides marital status etc.  And finally, the census also provides data on the occupational structure and the income level of the population.

2.      When did the first census In Bhutan carried out?

Ans - the first census in Bhutan was carried out in 1958.

3.      How the Population census does help in nation-building?

Ans - Population census greatly helps in nation-building because the census data are widely used in all types of planning processes, both at the national level and also at the local level like the GYTs and DYTs in Bhutan.

2. Vital Registration System

The second major source of population data is the Vital Registration System.

It covers the registration of vital events such as the births, the deaths, still-births, marriages and divorces etc. When they are (the births, the deaths, still-births, marriages and divorces etc.) compiled together and the resulting data obtained is known as the Vital Statistics. In Bhutan, the vital registration system is known as the civil registration and it provides information on date of birth, sex of the baby, age of the mother and number of her previous children, the order of birth, and residence of the mother etc.

3. Sample Surveys

The third important sources of population data is the Sample Surveys, known as the National Sample Survey.

In Bhutan, so far, four sample surveys were undertaken by the National Statistical Bureau. The first one was taken in 1984, followed by next in 1994, 2000 and the last one in 2004, known as the Bhutan Living Standard Survey (it provides information on economic and social conditions of different households both from rural and urban areas).

The special sample surveys carried out at certain intervals provides the changes that are occurring in the population and its characteristics.

Questions to check your learning

1.      What is the Vital Registration System?

Ans - The Vital Registration System means the registration of vital events such as the births, the deaths, still-births, marriages and divorces etc.

2.      What do you mean by Vital Statistics?

Ans - When the vital events such as births, the deaths, still-births, marriages and divorces etc. are compiled together and the resulting data obtained is known as the Vital Statistics.

3.      What do you mean by civil registration? Mention its importance.

Ans - In Bhutan, the vital registration system is known as the civil registration.

     Importance: - it provides information on date of birth, sex of the baby, age of the mother and number of her previous children, the order of birth, and residence of the mother etc.

4.      When did the first National Sample Survey conducted in Bhutan?

Ans - The first one was taken in 1984, followed by next in 1994, 2000 and the last one in 2004.

5.      What information were provided by the National Sample Survey?

Ans – It provides the information on changes that are occurring in the population and its characteristics especially data related to economic and social conditions.

-

Population Distribution in Bhutan

Being a mountainous and landlocked country, the population is unevenly distributed. Some Dzongkhag have more population while some have negligible.

  As per the census of 2005 the total population of Bhutan is 634982 persons out of which 333595 are males and 301387 are females.

Out of all the twenty Dzongkhag of Bhutan, Thimphu Dzongkhag with the total population of 98676 persons has the highest population followed by Chukha with 74,387 persons and Samtse with 60,100 persons. On the other hand Gasa has the lowest population of 3116 persons.

Why mountainous regions in Bhutan are sparsely populated? Give reason.

Bhutan is situated in the lap of Himalayas but the high mountainous regions i.e. the northern part are very much sparsely populated because of the following reasons:

1.      The climate of the area is extremely cold which is unfavorable for inhabitance

2.      In most part of the year land is covered with ice and snow

3.      Due to extreme cold, the growing seasons is very short thus agriculture is not possible

4.      The surface of the areas has rugged topography full of rock which are unfertile

“The spatial distribution of population in Bhutan is highly uneven” discuss giving three suitable reasons.

Answer- it is said that spatial distribution of population is highly uneven in Bhutan due to following reasons:

1.      Physiographic; Bhutan is mountainous country. Thus the valley have fertile soil, so concentration of population is high and more in river valley

2.      Transportation: transportation plays important role in distribution of population in mountainous region. The means of transportation in Bhutan is the roadways. Thus along the road concentration of transport is more

3.      Climate: it plays important role in distribution of population. Northern part of Bhutan has very cold climate where as southern part has moderate. Southern part has more concentration of population due to moderate climate where as northern has less because of too cold climate

Questions to check your learning

1.      Why do you think the population of Bhutan is unevenly distributed?

Ans - Because of being a mountainous and landlocked country the population of Bhutan is unevenly distributed as only those areas which are fit for cultivation has more population while the other areas which are not fit for cultivation or settlement usually does not have any settlement developed there.

2.      What was the total population of Bhutan as per 2005 census and what could be the present population?

Ans - As per the census of 2005 the total population of Bhutan was 634982 persons and the present population (July 2011) is708427 persons.

3.      Which three Dzongkhag in Bhutan has the maximum population?

Ans – Maximum population is found in Thimphu followed by Chhukha and Samtse.

4.      Name two Dzongkhag with lowest population.

Ans – Gasa and Haa.

Age and Sex Structure of the Population

As per 2005 census, the 33.1% of the people are in the age group of 0-14 years, 62.3% are in the age group of 15 – 64 years and 4.7% of the people are in the age group of 65 years and above.

Overall Sex scenario for Bhutan

The number of females per thousand males is known as Sex Ratio. It has been noticed that there is no 1:1 birth of male and female occur in a population; the number of male birth is slightly higher than the female all the time. The sex ratio for Bhutan is 111 males per 100 females or 901 females per 1000 males.

Out of the total population of 634982 persons (2005 census), the total number of males is 333595 and the female is 301387.

Sex ratio- number of males/number of female*100

In almost all the age groups males overweigh female’s population except in the age group of 5 – 9, 20 – 24 and 65 – 69 years.

More male population in the age group of 0 – 4 and less in 5 – 9 years clearly depicts that there are higher death incidents occurs in this age group of the males and the survival of female is more than male. Out of the 20 Dzongkhags, Pema Gatshel 1022; Trashi Yangtse 1002 females per 1000 males has favorable sex ratio. The lowest sex ratio has been recorded in Chhukha Dzongkhag (759 females per 1000 males). In a population if the number of female is less than the males it is termed as negative or unfavorable sex ratio while in opposite condition it is said to be as positive or favorable sex ratio.

Note- if the number of female in any population is more than males than it is known as favorable sex ratio, while if numbers of females in any population is less than males, than it is known unfavorable sex ratio

Factors responsible for low sex ratio/ unfavorable sex ratio

1.      The male child receives prefential  treatment while female are neglected

2.      Many women died at the time of pregnancy

3.      With small family norms, many young couples do not go for second child if first child happen to be male

Factors responsible for favorable sex ratio in Bhutan

1.      There is no gender discrimination in Bhutan

2.      Son preferences do not exists in Bhutan

3.      There is no social obligation against women

If you read somewhere that sex ratio of a place in 1990 was 879, how would you interpret this?

The statement “sex ratio of a place in 1990was 897” it indicates that:

1.      The place had negative sex ratio in the year 1990

2.      The number of female was 879 while number of male was 1000

3.      The place is economically and educationally not developed

4.      Mortality among female is quite high

Questions and answers to remember

1.      “About 33.1% of the Bhutanese population is under 15 years of age”. Give two implications of this statement.

Ans – The two main consequences of more percentage of population below 15 years of age are:

a)      In fact, they are dependent population and thus not engaged in economically gainful work. So the economic growth will be slow.

b)      The above figure also shows that the birth rate and growth rate is higher which leads to poverty due to lower per capita income and scarcity of basic needs etc.

2.      Which three age group in Bhutan has more female population than male as per 2005 census

Ans - In the age group of 5 – 9, 20 – 24 and 65 – 69 years has more female than males.

3.      Which two dzongkhags of Bhutan has more female population?

Ans - Pema Gatshel and Trashi Yangtse.

Questions and answers to remember

1.      Define Sex Ratio.

Ans - The number of females per thousand males is known as Sex Ratio.

2.      What are the basic factors / components of change in population?

Ans – Population never remains stagnant. It keeps on changing with the passage of time and the change in population depends upon three factors / components. They are:

a)      Birth rate.

b)      Death rate.

c)      Migration.

Population Density

The number of people living in per unit area (i.e. the ratio between population and geographical area) is known as density of population.

Population density helps us in understanding the spatial variations in the distribution of population in a country or region. It also indicates the extent to which the resources are being put into use and the pressure on land, water and air resources.

1.     Arithmetic Density

It is the ratio of total population to the total area of the country.

The arithmetic density of population =

Arithmetic density is the simplest and is used most commonly by scholars all over the world.

But, it is a crude measure because it takes into account the entire area of the country while calculating the density.

In fact, the entire area may not be fully fit for human habitation.

For example, the hilly and rugged terrain, swampy or marshy and densely forested areas and those areas covered by water bodies / glaciers etc are unsuitable for human habitation.

On the other hand, people tend to live only in areas which are agriculturally productive or where the natural resources are richly found and easily accessible. This concept becomes much more relevant for country like Bhutan.   This is because according to Land Use Planning Survey, only about 8 % of the total area is cultivable or available for human habitation in Bhutan.

The rest 92% is not suitable for human settlement because of one or other type of topographical constraints. Hence, the second type of density measure becomes more relevant to Bhutan.

2.     Physiological Density/ nutritional density

The Physiological density of population is the ratio of total population to the total cultivable land available in that country.

 ;The Physiological density =

Arithmetic density	Physiological density/ nutritional
1.      It is the ratio between total population to the total geographical areas 2.      The entire areas of the country is taken into account while calculating the density 3.      It is crude method of calculating density 4.      The hilly tracts, swampy, marshy, forest areas which are unsuitable for human settlement even water bodies are included here	.      It is the ratio between total population to the total cultivable land of the country .      Here only cultivable areas/regions is taken into account         It is more refined method of calculating men and land         Here only the land which is suitable for crops is taken into account

Questions and answers to memorize

1.      What do you mean by Population Density?

Ans -The number of people living in per unit area (i.e. the ratio between population and geographical area) is known as density of population.

2.      What was the population density of Bhutan as per 2005 census?

Ans – 16 persons per sq.km.

3.      Which Dzongkhag in Bhutan has the highest and the least population?

Ans – Thimphu Dzongkhag has the highest population (i.e. 98676 persons) while Gasa has the lowest population (i.e. 3116 persons).

4.      List down any five factors that affect the density of population.

Ans – There are many factors affecting the density of population but some of the five most important factors are the following: a. Fertility of the soil, b. Availability of water, c. Topography, d. Climate and e. Availability of natural resources.

Advantages of large or over population

Advantages of large population:

1.      Human population is best natural resources and development of the areas depends upon the population of the areas

2.      Large population provides more and cheap human labor

3.      Large population is responsible for more production of commodities

4.      It also provide market for the consumption of products

Disadvantages of over population

1.      Rapid population growth

2.      Employment

3.      Housing, health and education problems

4.      Slow economic growth

5.      Unwanted pressure on infrastructure

6.      Shortage of food and resources etc

7.      Increase in crime

Literacy and Education

Literacy-It is defined as ability read and writes a simple message with understanding in any language

Literate person -A literate person is the one who ahs ability to read and write a simple message with understanding in any language

Literacy rate

Literacy rate is defines as number of literate person for each hundred people which is express in percentage

There are two type of literacy rate

1.      Crude literacy

2.     Literacy rate 

Crude literacy rate

1.     Crude literacy rate =

2.     Literacy rate=

The literacy rate of a country is an important indicator of the over-all socio-economic development of a country. The levels of literacy have a close and positive correlation with the levels of the development of a country as a whole.

In Bhutan, the National Statistical Bureau made a humble attempt to collect the literacy rates of the population through a special survey in 2004. According to this survey, the individuals are considered as literate, only when they are able to read and write, at least, in any one of the languages like Dzongkha, English, Lhotsham or any others.

The levels of literacy have a close and positive correlation with the levels of the development of a country as a whole.

The literacy level is very high in all the developed countries and low in developing countries and therefore it is also an important indicator of development of a nation.

The overall economic development of a country further progress with the increase in literacy rate of a country and at the same time the literacy rate further accelerates with the increasing economic development as many new schools and various other education institutions will come up. The overall economic development of a country further progress with the increase in literacy rate of a country.  This actually means the economic growth of a nation will become more rapid with the improvement in overall literacy level of the people.

This is because the major way of developing human resource is by increasing their literacy level which can be done either by upgrading their qualification directly through the attainment of learning institutions like Degree College or any other training institutions within the country or by attaining the scholarship or any other forms of higher studies outside the country.

Once the people upgrade their literacy level they become professionals or highly qualified and knowledgeable man power.  Thus, they can use their knowledge for the further and rapid development of the country. According to the 2005 census, the average literacy rate for Bhutan as a whole was found out to be 59.5 percent.

The literacy rate for male was relatively higher with 69.1 percent while for female was 48.7 percent. Within the 20 Dzongkhag, Thimphu has the highest literacy rate (73.26%), followed by Bumthang (66.23%), Paro (64.73%) and Chhukha (63.03%). Dzongkhag with lowest literacy rate was Gasa (46.81%) followed by Monger (50.18%) and Samtse (50.19%).

Maximum literate population was found in urban areas engaged mostly in secondary and tertiary sector.

Questions and answers to memorize

1.      Who is considered as Literate Person?

Ans - A person who has the ability to read and write simple messages with understanding in any languages is considered as a literate person.

2.      What was the literacy rate of Bhutan as per 2005 census?

Ans - According to the 2005 census, the average literacy rate for Bhutan as a whole was found out to be 59.5 percent.

3.      Name any two Dzongkhag with highest and two with lowest literacy rates in Bhutan.

Ans – Thimphu (with73.26%literate persons) and Bumthang (with66.23%literate persons) are two Dzongkhag with highest literacy rate while Gasa (with 46.81% literate persons) and Monger (with 50.18% literate persons) are the Dzongkhag with lowest literacy rates.

Occupational Structure

Bhutan being a agrarian country, the share of the agricultural sector in employment is very significant.

About 79.5 % of the populations were engaged in Agriculture, 3% in Industry, 4.5% in Services and 13% in others i.e. tertiary sectors (Source: “Bhutan Standard Survey”. National Statistical Bureau, R.G.O.B, 2004)

Service sector includes trade and transport, banking and finance and hotels etc.  Tertiary sectors are larger in Bhutan because it includes self-employment and artisans, etc.

Participation rate

Participation rate is defined as number of worker in every hundred people

Participation rate-

Working population	Dependent population
1.      The proportion of worker in population is expressed by a rate is known as working population 2.      In Bhutan age group of 15-64 has been taken as working population	1.      The population of Bhutan below 15 and above 64 is considered as dependent population 2.      They are not involved in economic production. They depend on working population

Note –calculate the dependency ratio of Bhutan

1.      dependent population-33.1% is under age below age 15

2.      4.7% is classified as old people(age 64 and above)

Total- 37.8%

3.      Working population- 62.3%

Dependency ratio- depended population divided by adult population than multiply by hundred

Example- 37.8/62.3*100= 60.67 %( dependency ratio of Bhutan is 60.67%)

Progressive population	Regressive population
1.      Progressive population is that in which death rate is low and birth rate is high 2.      Population increase here 3.      The age sex pyramid in progressive population shows wide base and narrow apex	1.      Regressive population means the population in which birth rate is low and death rate is high 2.      Here population decrease 3.      The age sex pyramid has narrow base and narrow apex

Note on marginal worker and main worker

Fertility

Fertility in simple term means the occurrence of birth.

Fertility is different from fecundity because Fecundity refers to the reproductive capacity of woman during her entire reproductive period.

Fertility is the actual number of children born to a woman in her entire life time.

While calculating fertility only the population of women in the age group of 15 to 49 is taken

Foetal death- any death prior to the birth in a womb of a mother is known as foetal death

Some important measures of fertility are:

1.      Crude Birth Rate.   

2.      Fertility Ratio.

3.      General Fertility Rate.

4.      Total Fertility Rate.

5.      Gross Fertility Rate.

Crude Birth Rate

The Crude Birth Rate (CBR) the simplest and commonly used measure of fertility in the world.

It is expressed in terms of the number of births occurred in a year per thousand population. It is calculated as:

CBR =

Fertility Ratio

The Fertility Ratio is also often termed as Child Women Ratio. It is calculated by taking into account only women population who are in the reproductive age group i.e. women aged between 15 to 49 years only.

It is expressed in terms of number of children below five years of age per 1000 women in the reproductive age group.

CWR =

General Fertility Rate

GFR is the ratio of the total live births occurring in a specified year for a given area to the number of a women in the child- bearing age(15 -49), multiplied by 1000.

GFR =

Words cuts deeper than swords

Total Fertility Rate

The Total Fertility Rate is the total number of children born to a women in her life time to the total number of women in the child bearing age groups.

 Gross Fertility Rate

The Gross Fertility Rate is the total number of daughters (girls) born to a women in her entire life time.

The difference between TFR and GFR:

In Total Fertility Rate we take all children (both boys and girls), while in Gross Fertility Rate we take only the number of girls born.

Index of Aging- it is number of person aged 65 and over as a percentage of the number of person age 0-14

Questions and answers to memorize

1.      Write down the main difference between the fertility and Fecundity.

Ans - Fecundity refers to the reproductive capacity of woman during her entire reproductive period while Fertility is the actual number of children born to a women in her entire life time and also while calculating fertility only the population of women in the age group of 15 to 49 are taken.

2.      Define Fertility ratio.

Ans – It means the number of children below five years of age per 1000 women in the reproductive age group (15 -49 years).

3.      Compare General Fertility rate with Total Fertility Rate.

Ans - GFR is the ratio of the total live births occurring in a specified year for a given area to the total number of women in the child- bearing age while the TFR is the total number of children born to women in her life time to the total number of women in the child bearing age groups.

4.      What do you mean by Gross Fertility rate?

Ans - The Gross Fertility Rate is the total number of daughters born to women in her entire life time.

Mortality

Mortality is defined as the permanent disappearance of all evidences of life at a time after birth has taken place.

Following are some of the commonly used mortality measures in many countries:-

1. Crude Death Rate.

2. Infant Mortality Rate.

3. Maternal Mortality Rate.

4. Child Mortality Rate.

5. Life Expectancy.

Crude Death Rate

It is the ratio of total number of registered deaths occurring in a given place for any given year to the total population of that place in that area. It is the simplest and commonly used measures of mortality which can be easily calculated or understood even by ordinary people.

CDR =

Infant Mortality Rate

The IMR is a ratio of infants (babies less than one year age) died in a calendar year to the total number of live births registered in that same year.

IMR =

Mention infant mortality rate in 1984 and 20000. Give reasons for the fall in infant mortality in the year 2000 than 1984:

1.      Improvement in medical facilities

2.      Increase in literacy and overall education

Maternal Mortality Rate

The MMR is defined as the ratio of pregnant women who died in a calendar year to the total number of live births occurring in that year for any specific area.

MMR =

Child Mortality Rate- The CMR is defined as the ratio of deaths of children below 5 years (from age 1 to 5 years) to the total number of children aged 1 to 5 years for specified year.

CMR =

Life Expectancy- Life expectancy means the average number of years that a person is expected to live after birth.

The average expectation of life at birth or average life expectancy is a good measure of mortality because it is not affected by the age structure of the population.

It is calculated from the “life table” which is worked out from the census.

In Bhutan, the life expectancy has shown a significant increase from 46 years in the 1980s to well over 66 years in the recent years.

This significant increase is the resultant of increased health facilities to the people at large and overall improvement in the living standard of the Bhutanese population.

Questions and answers to memorize

1.      Name any four commonly used mortality measures in the world.

Ans – They are: - 1. Crude Death Rate. 2. Infant Mortality Rate. 3. Maternal Mortality Rate.  4. Child Mortality Rate.

2.      Which are the simplest and commonly used measures of mortality?

Ans - It is Crude Death Rate i.e. the ratio of total number of registered deaths occurring in a given place for any given year to the total population of that place in that area.

3.      Define the following: a) Infant Mortality Rate and b) Maternal Mortality Rate.

Ans – The IMR means a ratio of infants (babies under one year age) died in a calendar year to the total number of live births registered in that same year.

The MMR the ratio of pregnant women who died in a calendar year to the total number of live births occurring in that year for any specific area

Questions and answers to memorize

1.      What is Child Mortality Rate?

Ans - The CMR is defined as the ratio of deaths of children below 5 years (from age 1 to 5 years) to the total number of children aged 1 to 5 years for specified year.

2.      Why life expectancy is considered as good measure of mortality?

Ans – Because it is not affected by the age structure of the population.

3.      Why recently there is a significant increase of life expectancy in Bhutan?

Ans - This significant increase is the resultant of increased health facilities to the people at large and overall improvement in the living standard of the Bhutanese population mainly due to increase in per-capita income.

Growth of population is the change in the number of people living in a particular area between any two points of time.

For example, if the population of Bhutan in 1980 was 500,000 and in 2000, if it has reached 600,000, then the growth of population in 20 years is about 100,000.

The growth rate is expressed in terms of percentage. Thus, the growth rate of population between 1980 to 2000 is 2 %.

The actual population growth rate for Bhutan was 1.3% (as per 2005 census).

The population growth takes place due to the difference between the birth rates and death rates.

When the birth rate is higher than that of the death rate, the population increase take place. This kind of increase is called Natural Growth of population.

However if the population increase has taken place because of migration, then is not purely natural growth. Population growth is said to be positive when the birth rates are higher than the death rates in any given area for any given two points of time, resulting in population increase.

On the other hand, if the death rates are higher than the birth rates, resulting in population decrease, then it is known as negative growth of population. Only few Scandinavian countries like Finland, Norway and Sweden are experiencing the negative growth of population.

This is a situation when the population of a country gets stagnated in terms of their number. It occurs when the birth and death rates in a country are perfectly equal and the population growth rate remains at zero percent per annum.

In Bhutan, by the year 2020, the government is aiming to achieve this zero percent growth rate.

Trends of Population Growth in Bhutan

Bhutan is an under-populated country. Given its small geographical size of 38,394 sq.kms, the population of about708427 persons (July 2011) or 634982 persons (census of 2005) can be considered small.

Even in the region of South Asia, Bhutan’s population is very small, when compared with that of China or India (both have population over one billion). But the population in Bhutan shows an increasing trend in the last 40 years or so.

Because of many planned developmental works since the first five year plan in 1960-61, the population of Bhutan shows consistent increase. From about 500,000 in 1980, the population has reached the mark of 634,982 in 2005 and to 708427 in 2011.

Questions and answers to memorize

1.      What is do you mean by Growth of population / population growth?

Ans - Growth of population is the change in the number of people living in a particular area between any two points of time.

2.      What is Natural Growth of population?

Ans – When the birth rate is higher than that of the death rate, the population increase take place. This kind of increase is called Natural Growth of population.

3.      Compare positive growth of population with negative growth an example of each?

Ans - Population growth is said to be positive when the birth rates are higher than the death rates in any given area for any given two points of time, resulting in population increase. E.g. the population growth of Bhutan between 2004 t0 2005 (1.3%).

On the other hand, if the death rates are higher than the birth rates, resulting in population decrease, then it is known as negative growth of population. E.g. Population decrease of Finland in 2002 to 2003(-0.2%)

4.      When the growth of population growth does become static?

A - It occurs when the birth and death rates in a country are perfectly equal and the population growth rate remains at zero percent per annum.

What do you understand by floating population?

Ans- the population of country that does not belong to that country but temporarily reside in that part for short duration of time, may be few hours, days or years and supposed to go back to their native place is considered as floating population.

Example- Indian people living in Bhutan

Migration

Migration can be defined as a process where the individual crosses the boundary of his or her place of birth and lives in another place.

Migration is the third important components of demographic studies.

It plays an important role in the socio-cultural-economic life of a country.

It also helps in the redistribution of population and resources within the country.

Causes of Migration

Some of the most important factors causing migration were as follows:

1. Economic factor.

2. Socio-cultural factor.

3. Demographic factor.

4. Political factor.

5. Other factors.

1.      Economic factor.

Economic factors include better employment opportunities, relatively higher level of income and job security etc.  Such factors play important role in the rural to urban migration as the urban centers provide most of such facilities to the people.

2.      Socio-cultural factor.

Socio-cultural factor means the factors related to our culture and society like practice, beliefs and customs which have been followed from generations to generations.  These factors also play important role in migration especially in rural areas. E.g. Women moving to their husband’s place after marriage

3.      Demographic factor.

A demographic factor like population pressure due high birth rate also plays a role in the migration of people.

 E.g. In many developing countries, the rural population pressure accompanied by limited natural resources and lack of amenities in rural area leads to migration of people from such areas to some other places with more scope and opportunities.

4.      Political factor.

Political factors such war, political unrest like strike or fighting between different groups or different caste or races of people also force the people to migrate from one place to another often as refugees.

5.      Other factors.

There are also many other factors causing migration of people such as availability of different facilities like education, health, employment and entertainment etc. They all play important role in the migration of people especially from rural to urban areas.

General migration types

1.      Internal and international migration.

When the migration occurs within the geographical / territorial boundary of a country, it is called as internal migration.

E.g. A person from Paro changes his place of residence from Paro to Thimphu.

When the migration occurs across the international boundary (moving into another country), it is known as International migration.

E.g. A person from Japan changing his place of residence from Japan to China

2.      Out-migration and in-migration.

When people move out from their place of residence to some other place (within the country), it is called out-migration.

E.g. If a person change his place of residence from Trongsa to Bumthang due his job transfer, then he is out-migrating from Trongsa.

When people move into a new place of residence from their previous one (within the country), it is called in-migration.

E.g. If a person change his place of residence from Haa to Paro then he is in-migrating into Paro.

Note –Brain drain-one aspect of external migration in modern times is movement of highly qualified or skilled people in search of better salaries and better jobs even though they could be employed at home

Eg-Asian doctor working in USA and England

3.      Emigration and Immigration.

When people move out from their country to some other country crossing international borders, it is known as Emigrations.

E.g. A person from Japan moving into Malaysia means a person is emigrating from Japan.

When a person is moving into a new country leaving his / her previous country crossing international border, it is known as Immigration.

E.g. A person from Japan moving into Malaysia can also mean a person is immigrating into Malaysia.

4.      Step-migration.

Migration of people from a village to a small town and later to a city in step-wise is called as Step-migration.

In other word, people move to some nearby centers first, and then, from there they reach to their ultimate destination.

E.g. People from Mongar first, come and stay in Bumthang for some period of time and later moves to Trongsa and stay there again for some time. Finally, when appropriate time comes, they move into Thimphu and settle there.

5.      Sequential Migration.

The migration of people accompanying their main family member or head of the family due to social or economic reason is known as Sequential Migration.

E.g. Children migrating with their parents due to parent’s job transfer since they are dependents on their parents.

 Women migrating to their husband’s place after marriage due to their custom

6.      Voluntary and involuntary migration

Voluntary movement of people from one region to another/ from one country to another in search of better jobs and facilities is known is voluntary migration. All external migration is not voluntary. The movements of slaves from Africa to North America are entirely involuntary. Refugees either from war zones or from political oppression are forced to live

Migration Streams

The migration streams are the way people move in significant number from one place to another.

E.g. A stream of labour migrants coming into places like Chukha to work in the projects there.

Within the country, to and fro movement of population can be categorized into four types or streams of migration. They are:

a.       Rural to Rural.- When movements of people take place from village to village, then it is considered as rural to rural migration.

b.      Rural to Urban.- When the movements of people take place from a village to a town or city, then it is called as rural to urban migration.

c.       Urban to Urban. The movements of people from one town or city to another town or city are known as urban to urban migration.

d.      Urban to Rural.- the movement of people from town or city to village is called as urban to rural migration.

Two trends of migration

Two common trends of migration of population in Bhutan were:

1.      Intra-Dzongkhag Migration.- The movement of people from the place of birth or living to another place within the Dzongkhag is known as intra –Dzongkhag migration.

 E.g. the movement of people from Simtokha to Babesa within Thimphu Dzongkhag,

2.      2. Inter-Dzongkhag migration.

The movement of people from the place of living or birth to another place outside Dzongkhag is known as Inter-Dzongkhag Migration.

E.g. Migration of people from Paro to Punakha

PULL AND PUSH FACTORS

All the factors responsible for causing migration can be grouped into two categories. They are:

Pull Factors: -The urban centers like cities and towns function like magnets. They attract people from even far off rural areas because they provide a wide range of facilities to the people. Higher wages, better job opportunities, better educational and medical facilities, good transport and communication network, variety of entertainment, better shelter and sanitation, electricity and safe water etc. are the pull factors that attract the migrants from different parts of the country.

E.g. Thimphu possessing all above mentioned facilities attracts / pulls people from every nook and corner of the country.

Push Factors:- Push factors are those which work in opposition to pull factors.

Generally, the push factors are unemployment and underemployment, low wages, lack of job security and job diversification, lack of educational and health facilities, lack of basic amenities like housing, water etc. they act as push factors in the rural areas, and as a result, the people are pushed out from such rural areas towards areas of attraction.

In many cases, it is combination of both pull and push factors that play a role in migration process.

Consequences of migration

There are both advantages and disadvantages involved in Migration.

The advantages of migration:

1.      Migration helps in cultural diffusion, increased exploration and exploitation of resources and helps in redistribution of population.

2.      It is a natural process whereby both people and resources are balanced over space.

3.      It also helps in developing the areas of both origin and destination.

E.g. The people moving to work in the urban place usually sent money to their families in the rural areas and in the rural areas such money are directly or indirectly invested in the developmental activities there.

Similarly, these people working in urban areas can help the developmental activities there.

The disadvantages of migration:

1.      Migration brings in tension among the communities. It results in increased crime rates and other social evils especially in urban areas.

2.      In some cases, it would invite political problems for the receiving areas or countries.

3.      Due to migration from rural areas to urban centers, rural areas are left with fewer people to work in agriculture and other related work, making the land under-utilized.

4.      On the other hand, cities are over populated leading to innumerable problems like shortages of housing, water, rise in unemployment, pollutions, crimes etc.

Questions and answers to memorize

1.      What is do you mean “Internal migration” and “international migration”?

Ans – When the migration occurs within the geographical / territorial boundary of a country, it is called as internal migration.

E.g. A person from Paro changes his place of residence from Paro to Thimphu.

When the migration occurs across the international boundary (moving into another country), it is known as International migration.

E.g. A person from Japan changing his place of residence from Japan to China

2.      Differentiate between the out-migration and emigration.

Ans –When people move out from their place of residence to some other place (within the country), it is called out-migration.

E.g. If a person change his place of residence from Trongsa to Bumthang due his job transfer, then she is out-migrating from Trongsa.

When people move out from their country to some other country crossing international borders, it is known as Emigrations.

E.g. A person from Japan moving into Malaysia means a person is emigrating from Japan.

3.      Compare “In-migration” with “Immigration” with an example of each?

Ans -When people move into a new place of residence from their previous one (within the country), it is called in-migration.

E.g. If a person change his place of residence from Haa to Paro then he is in-migrating into Paro.

When a person is moving into a new country leaving his / her previous country crossing international border, it is known as Immigration.

E.g. A person from Japan moving into Malaysia can also mean a person is immigrating into Malaysia.

4.      What is Step-migration?

A - Migration of people from a village to a small town and later to a city in step-wise is called as Step-migration.

In other word, people move to some nearby centers first, and then, from there they reach to their ultimate destination.

E.g. People from Mongar first, come and stay in Bumthang for some period of time and later moves to Trongsa and stay there again for some time. Finally, when appropriate time comes, they move into Thimphu and settle there.

5.      Explain Sequential migration.

A - The migration of people accompanying their main family member or head of the family due to social or economic reason is known as Sequential Migration.

E.g. Children migrating with their parents due to parent’s job transfer since they are dependents on their parents.

Why Bhutan is called a land of villages?

69.1% of total population lives in village and they are engaged in primary occupation that is why it is said that Bhutan is truly termed as land of village

What are four types or streams of migration?

A –They are:

a)      Rural to Rural. - When movements of people take place from village to village, then it is considered as rural to rural migration.

b)      Rural to Urban. - When the movements of people take place from a village to a town or city, then it is called as rural to urban migration.

c)      Urban to Urban. The movements of people from one town or city to another town or city are known as urban to urban migration.

d)     Urban to Rural.- the movement of people from town or city to village is called as urban to rural migration.

7. What are the two trends of migration?

A – They are:

1.      Intra-Dzongkhag Migration.

The movement of people from the place of birth or living to another place within the Dzongkhag is known as intra –Dzongkhag migration.

 E.g. the movement of people from Simtokha to Babesa within Thimphu Dzongkhag,

2.      Inter-Dzongkhag migration.

The movement of people from the place of living or birth to another place outside Dzongkhag is known as Inter-Dzongkhag Migration.

E.g. Migration of people from Paro to Punakha

1.      Mention any four most important factors causing migration.

A- They are:

1.      Economic factor.

2.      Socio-cultural factor.

3.      Demographic factor.

4.      Political factor.

9. What are the Socio-cultural factors causes migration of people?

A -Socio-cultural factor causing migration are the factors related to our culture and society like practice, beliefs and customs which have been followed from generations to generations.

These factors also play important role in migration especially in rural areas.

E.g. Women moving to their husband’s place after marriage

      

       1.      How the demographic factor does causes migration of people.

A - Demographic factors like population pressure due high birth rate causes the migration of people.

 E.g. In many developing countries, the rural population pressure accompanied by limited natural resources and lack of amenities in rural area leads to migration of people from such areas to some other places with more scope and opportunities.

        2 .      Explain about the pull and push factors causing migration.

A- Pull factors are those factors such as higher wages, better job opportunities, better educational and medical facilities, good transport and communication network, variety of entertainment, better shelter and sanitation, electricity and safe water etc. which pull or attract the migrants from different parts of the country. The urban centers like cities and towns function like magnets. They attract people from even far off rural areas because they provide a wide range of facilities to the people.

E.g. Thimphu possessing all above mentioned facilities attracts / pulls people from every nook and corner of the country.

 Push factors those which work in opposition to pull factors such as unemployment and underemployment, low wages, lack of job security and job diversification, lack of educational and health facilities, lack of basic amenities like housing, water etc. in the rural areas which push or force the people move out towards areas of attraction. In many cases, it is combination of both pull and push factors that play a role in migration process.

    

      3.Explain about the consequences of migration.

A – The consequences of migration are mixed one, with both advantages and disadvantages involving in it. The advantages of migration are cultural diffusion, increased exploration and exploitation of resources and helps in redistribution of population. Rural depopulation, development of transport system. It is a natural process whereby both people and resources are balanced over space. It also helps in developing the areas of both origin and destination.

E.g. The people moving to work in the urban place usually sent money to their families in the rural areas and in the rural areas such money are directly or indirectly invested in the developmental activities there.

Similarly, these people working in urban areas can help the developmental activities there.

Disadvantages of migration are bringing in tension among the communities. It results in increased crime rates and other social evils especially in urban areas.

In some cases, it would invite political problems for the receiving areas or countries. Due to migration from rural areas to urban centers, rural areas are left with fewer people to work in agriculture and other related work, making the land under-utilized.

On the other hand, cities are over populated leading to innumerable problems like shortages of housing, water, rise in unemployment, pollutions, crimes etc