The figure represents world population growth between 1950 and 2015. Examine the figure and use it to answer the following questions.
A. When did NIR peak within this period, and what stage of the demographic transition in some regions is indicated by the shift that followed?
B. In 2–3 sentences, explain why world population would continue to increase, even if the NIR is decreasing.
C. In 2–3 sentences, describe one way in which data from this figure could be used to support a specific public policy initiative. Identify the initiative and connect it clearly to the data here.
To answer these questions, let's examine the figure representing world population growth between 1950 and 2015.
A. To determine when the NIR (Natural Increase Rate) peaked within this period, we need to identify the highest point on the graph. Locate the steepest upward slope on the figure, which usually indicates the period of peak population growth. As for the shift that followed, look for a decline or slowdown in the growth rate after the peak. The stage of demographic transition that corresponds to this shift depends on the specific regions being observed. It could indicate a transition from a high birth and death rate (pre-industrial stage) to a declining birth rate with a maintained low death rate (transitional stage) or a more stable population with low birth and death rates (industrial/post-industrial stage).
B. While the NIR (Natural Increase Rate) might be decreasing, world population can still continue to increase due to the concept of population momentum. Even if the annual growth rate decreases, the population keeps growing because of the large number of people of reproductive age. This means that even with a declining birth rate in some regions, the large existing population would still contribute to population growth.
C. The data from this figure can be used to support a specific public policy initiative such as family planning and reproductive health programs. Analyzing the population growth trends can highlight areas or regions with high growth rates, which could benefit from policies promoting access to contraceptives and family planning education. By connecting the data on population growth rates to the need for effective family planning interventions, policies can be designed to slow down population growth, promote sustainable development, and improve the overall well-being of communities.