Chapter 4- Population Aging

Question 1

Explain demography (2)

Answer 1

• Study population in a place over time

- Influenced by fertility, mortality, and migration patterns

Question 2

Describe the four stages of demographic transition. (3/4/1/3)

Answer 2

1. Population explosion
   - Before IR
   - Most countries had high fertility and mortality
   - Fluctuation in mortality b/c of food, disease and hygiene
2. Population implosion
   - During IR
   - More concentrated population in small urban areas
   - Conditions improved in many European countries
   - drop in mortality and fertility
3. Population displosion
   - Population is more heterogeneous b/c of immigration
4. Technoplosion
   - Spread of tech improving public health
   - Excess fertility and population growth
   - Low mortality and fertility with some fluctuations

Question 3

Explain epidemiological transition. (2)

Answer 3

• Leading cause of death change from acute to chronic diseases
• Improvements in food distribution, sanitation, education, and economic development

Question 4

Describe the demography of aging. (5)

Answer 4

• 8.5% of world is 65+, will increase to 16.7% by 2050
• 17% in developed, and 6.5% in less developed
• Population aging is higher in developing nations
• How each nation adapts requires careful planning and decisions by political leaders and internaitonal agencies
• Big concern is that population aging will deplete economic growth, but it actually won’t

Question 5

Explain how Canada’s older population has expanded. (2)

Answer 5

• Accelerated in 2011 when front edge of baby boomers turned 65 (27% of population are baby boomers)
• 5.95 million Canadians over 65, 1.52 mill over 80, and 8320 are 100+

Question 6

List the five demographic indices.

Answer 6

• Median age
• Life expectancy
• Birth and death rates
• Sex ratio
• Dependency ratio

Question 7

What is the median age of Canada?

Answer 7

41.2

Question 8

Describe life expectancy. (4)

Answer 8

• Increased over time
• 81 years in Canada, but can vary by four years among different social groups
• Does not mean improved health or quality of life
• Should be measured by qualitative indices

Question 9

Describe birth and death rates (2)

Answer 9

• 11 births and 8 deaths per 1,000 people
• in 2025, number of deaths will exceed births
• Population growth will still continue from emigration

Question 10

Describe the sex ratio.

Answer 10

• Number of males per 100 females in a population

- At birth in CA, 98.5 males per 100 females; at 65+, 83 per 100 females; over 85+, 53 per 100 females

Question 11

Describe the dependency ratio.

Answer 11

• (# of people younger than 19, and older than 65) / # of people eligible to be in labour force
• Peaked in 1971