CASE STUDY F


Wars in recent decades in Afghanistan have had major impacts on death rates in the country.


Afghanistan is a country in Stage 2 of the demographic model. Afghanistan’s population is 32.5 million, having risen by 12 million in just 15 years. Te country has an annual natural increase of 2.7 per cent, which is one of the highest in the world. Currently, Afghanistan’s birth rate is 35 per 1,000, while its death rate is 8 per 1,000. Only ten years ago Afghanistan’s death rate was over 20 per 1,000.


Improvements in public health have led to reductions in child mortality, while increased access to food and improved sanitation have increased life expectancy. In order to progress to Stage 3, Afghanistan needs to address social and economic factors that raise birth rates, such as: l High levels of illiteracy for women l Compromised role of women in society l High level of poverty.


) Fig. 1.20 Afghan women protest in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan.


Fawzia Koofi is an Afghan women’s rights activist who has fought for the right of women to be educated in her country. As a result, there have been several assassination attempts made on her.


If the current rate of population growth continues, Afghanistan’s population will double in just 25 years.


GEO DICTIONARY


Illiteracy: when people are unable to read and write


Economic liability: when something costs money and therefore must be budgeted/planned for


Stage 3: Late Expanding Stage


Stage 3 is experienced by countries with a rapidly improving standard of living due to a developing economy. As the country becomes more developed, its population can afford a better diet and have better access to healthcare. As a result, death rates continue to decline. Birth rates begin to decline rapidly as women now have access to family planning. Low infant mortality rates mean that mothers no longer have large families, as it is far more likely that children will survive into adulthood. Children are no longer an economic asset, as their education, health and other needs must be paid for. Instead they are now an economic liability and their parents must plan how many children they can afford to have.


European countries passed through Stage 3 in the first half of the twentieth century. However, large areas of the world are still in Stage 3, such as India, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco and South Africa.


18 ELECTIVE 5 PATTERNS AND PROCESSES IN THE HUMAN ENVIRONMENT


A


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