Activity: 3.1 Human Population

 

Canada's statistics, 2023 World Population Data Sheet, Population Reference Bureau (PRB) 

I chose Canada as an example of a more developed country in North America.

Canada's Demographic Profile:

According to PRB, the births per 1,000 population in Canada is 9 and the deaths per 1,000 population is 8. The population growth rate (Rate of Natural Increase) is 0.1% which is very low. If we look at the expectancy at birth in Canada, it is 80 for males and 84 for females. The total fertility rate stands at 1.4%. The GNI per Capita of Canada is 57,820.  

Afghanistan's statistics,  2023 World Population Data Sheet, Population Reference Bureau (PRB) 

I selected Afghanistan as an illustration of a less-developed country, located in South Asia.

Afghanistan's Demographic Profile:

From PR-B's statistics, the births per 1,000 population in Afghanistan is 42 and the deaths per 1,000 population is 7. The population growth rate (Rate of Natural Increase) is 3.5%. If we look at the expectancy at birth in Afghanistan, it is 60 for males and 66 for females. The total fertility rate stands at 5.4%. The GNI per Capita of Afghanistan is 1,690.

Comparison and Contrast of the Two Countries:

Canada is considered a more developed country due to several factors. It has a low birth rate of 9 per 1,000 population and a death rate of 8 per 1,000, leading to a stable population growth rate of 0.1%. This indicates a mature demographic profile. Additionally, Canada has a high life expectancy, with males living up to 80 years and females up to 84 years, reflecting a well-developed healthcare system and quality of life. The total fertility rate in Canada is 1.4%, suggesting good access to family planning services and a balanced population structure.

In contrast, Afghanistan is considered a less developed country. It has a high birth rate of 42 per 1,000 population and a death rate of 7 per 1,000, resulting in a high population growth rate of 3.5%. Life expectancy in Afghanistan is lower, with males living up to 60 years and females up to 66 years, indicating challenges in healthcare access. The total fertility rate in Afghanistan is 5.4%, suggesting limited access to family planning services and a younger population age structure, which can strain resources and development efforts. Economically, Canada's Gross National Income (GNI) per capita of $57,820 is significantly higher than Afghanistan's $1,690, highlighting the economic disparity between the two countries.

Comparison of the Two Countries to the World:

According to Mutiti, "Population sizes can also be held in check by factors that are not related to the density of the population and are called density-independent factors.". When comparing Canada and Afghanistan with the world, notable differences emerge. Canada's low birth rate of 9 per 1,000 population and death rate of 8 per 1,000 result in a stable population growth rate of 0.1%, reflecting a mature demographic profile. In contrast, Afghanistan's high birth rate of 42 per 1,000 and death rate of 7 per 1,000 lead to a much higher population growth rate of 3.5%, indicating a rapidly expanding population.

Life expectancy in Canada is notably higher, with males living up to 80 years and females up to 84 years, compared to the world average of around 72 years for both genders. In Afghanistan, life expectancy is lower, with males living up to 60 years and females up to 66 years, highlighting challenges in healthcare access and infrastructure.

Economically, Canada's Gross National Income (GNI) per capita of $57,820 is significantly higher than the world average of around $17,000, while Afghanistan's GNI per capita of $1,690 is considerably lower, reflecting the economic disparity between these countries and the world average.

Reference:

Mutiti, S., Mutiti, C., Manoylov, K., VandeVoort, A., & Bennett, D. (2018). Introduction to environmental science (3rd ed.). Biological Science Open Textbooks. University System of Georgia. 

Population Reference Bureau. (2023). 2023 World Population Data Sheet. https://2023-wpds.prb.org/data-sheet-download/