families applied, indicating that removing the policy will not solve China’s ageing population problem.


It is estimated that by 2030 China will have 219 million people over the age of 65, which will be almost 17 per cent of the country’s population.


Some sources estimate that the one-child policy prevented over 200 million births in China since its introduction in 1979.


It is not just China who face the dilemma of an ageing population. Countries such as the US, Canada, Russia, Australia, Japan and France are all facing the prospect of 25 per cent of their population being aged 65 and over in the near future.


It is estimated that 25 per cent of the Earth’s population will be over the age of 65 by 2100. This is compared to just 5 per cent in 1950.


In 1966, the then Romanian president Nicolae Ceausescu declared that ‘anyone who avoids having children is a deserter who abandons the laws of national continuity’.


The number of divorces granted in Romania fell from 26,000 in 1966 to just 28 in 1967.


Culture and Religion


Religion can hugely affect growth rates, e.g. in countries where Catholicism is strong, birth rates tend to be high. The Catholic Church is opposed to artificial contraception and abortion, which had led to high birth rates in countries with a strong Catholic ethos. Traditionally, family planning in Ireland was heavily influenced by the views of the Catholic Church, which promoted large families. However, as the influence of the church declined in Ireland, the use of contraceptives combined with cultural change led to a reduction in family size.


Hinduism, which is the faith of the majority of India’s population, does not oppose birth control. However, it does promote large families; this, combined with India’s societal belief that having more sons is desirable, has led to high birth rates. By having more sons, families will receive dowries from their son’s future wives. Therefore, having more sons is seen as an economic advantage. The more developed a country is, the less likely it is that cultural or religious issues will influence birth rates. In a developed country, economic factors are more likely to affect family size.


ACTIVE LEARNING


1. Explain, using examples, how the educational status of women and their role in society impacts on population growth. 2. Name and explain three factors that have an effect on a country’s population growth. 3. Using an example you have studied, explain how government intervention has impacted on population growth.


4. Discussion: To what extent do you think governments should have an influence on the number of children a woman may have? Do you think governments should have an input or is it an entirely personal decision?


POPULATION CHANGE OVER TIME AND SPACE 15 GEO DICTIONARY


Lesser Developed Country: a country that shows the lowest levels of socio-economic development


A


Z


Elective 5: Human CHAPTER 1


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