Junior Cycle Geography CYCLONE Development and Life Chances
A country’s level of development can affect the life chances of its young people. The figures used in this chapter are for those aged 15–24 years. Countries use this age bracket to define ‘young people’ when carrying out large studies.
In this chapter, we compare the life chances of a young person in Ireland (a developed country) with the life chances of a young person in Nigeria (a slowly developing country) under the following headings:
Access to healthcare Gender equality Life chances Educational opportunities Employment opportunities
1. The distance between Ireland and Nigeria
Examine the country fact files and answer the questions. 1. What is the difference in population between the two countries? 2. What is the difference in size between the two countries?
3. How might the difference in population density put pressure on resources such as water and soil in Ireland and in Nigeria?
4. The fact files tell us that Ireland is at stage 4 of the DTM and Nigeria is at stage 2. Outline what this means for the level of economic development of each country. (Look back to Chapter 18: Population to help.)
5. Do you agree or disagree that the indicators used to explain levels of development are accurate enough? Explain your choice.
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Ireland
Distance 7,202 km
Nigeria
Ireland 2022
Population: 5,045,330 Size: 84,421 km²
Population density: 72 per km²
Nigeria 2022
Population: 216,099,479 Size: 923,768 km²
Population density: 226 per km²
0.9 on HDI scale (high human development) 0.5 on HDI scale (low human development) Stage 4 of demographic transition model Stage 2 of demographic transition model