Managing Human Population Growth (HL IB ESS OLD COURSE - IGNORE)
Revision Note
Written by: Alistair Marjot
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
Direct Management of Population Growth
Population management involves policies aimed at influencing the size, growth and distribution of human populations
These policies focus on birth rates (pro-natalist or anti-natalist) or on migration (immigration and emigration).
Governments use these policies to address concerns such as:
Overcrowding
Economic demands
Ageing populations
Anti-natalist policies
Anti-natalist policies reduce birth rates in countries with high population growth
These policies are common in countries facing overpopulation, where resources are strained
Methods used
Education and awareness: promoting smaller family sizes and the benefits of fewer children
For example, China’s One-Child Policy (introduced in 1979) aimed to slow population growth by limiting families to one child
Access to contraception: improving the availability of birth control methods to reduce unwanted pregnancies
For example, in India, family planning campaigns have included the distribution of free contraceptives
Financial incentives: offering financial rewards or penalties to influence family size
For example, Vietnam’s Two-Child Policy (introduced in the 1980s) aimed to limit family size by encouraging people to have only two children
The policy was supported by:
Financial penalties for larger families
Incentives such as preferential housing and education benefits for those who complied
Outcomes
Anti-natalist policies lead to:
Slower population growth
Reduced pressure on resources
However, they can also cause long-term issues, such as an ageing population (fewer young people to support the elderly)
Pro-natalist policies
Pro-natalist policies encourage an increase in birth rates in countries with low or negative population growth
These policies are used in countries facing ageing populations or labour shortages
Methods used
Financial incentives: offering parents monetary support for having more children
For example, France’s Code de la Famille (1939) offers cash bonuses, paid parental leave and subsidised childcare to encourage larger families
Parental support: providing benefits such as longer parental leave or free childcare
For example, Sweden offers generous parental leave (up to 480 days shared between both parents) to support family growth
Cultural encouragement: promoting family-friendly values through campaigns or media
Outcomes
Pro-natalist policies help to:
Boost population growth
Ensure a balanced ratio between working-age individuals and the elderly
However, they may take time to show effects and could face cultural resistance
Migration policies
Migration policies manage immigration (inward) and emigration (outward) to influence population size and labour markets
Countries may encourage or restrict migration based on economic needs and population growth goals
Methods used
Open immigration policies: allowing more people to enter the country, particularly if there is a need for workers
For example, Germany has encouraged immigration to offset its declining population and labour shortages
Restrictions on immigration: limiting the number of people who can enter a country to control population growth or preserve jobs for citizens
For example, Australia has a strict immigration policy based on points
This points-based system favours skilled workers
Encouraging emigration: some countries promote emigration to relieve population pressure
Outcomes
Immigration can help to:
Balance an ageing population
Provide labour
Diversify the economy
Emigration can reduce population pressure, but may lead to a 'brain drain', where skilled workers leave the country
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Make sure you are aware of the potential long-term effects of anti-natalist, pro-natalist and migration policies, such as ageing populations or labour shortages.
Indirect Management of Population Growth
Indirect population management involves policies that do not directly aim to control population growth but still affect factors such as birth rates, death rates and migration
These policies focus on economic, social, health and development areas
These policies indirectly influence population dynamics
Economic policies
Economic policies influence population growth by:
Improving living standards
Changing family planning decisions
In less wealthy societies, families feel economic pressure to have more children because:
Children contribute to family income: in many rural or low-income areas, children may work on farms or help with small businesses, providing extra income for the family
Lack of social welfare: without government support like pensions or healthcare, parents may rely on their children to support them in old age
Higher child mortality rates: in areas with poor healthcare, parents may have more children to ensure that some survive to adulthood
Limited access to education: with fewer opportunities for higher education, children are often seen as a source of immediate labour and support, rather than an investment for the future
Wealthier societies tend to have lower birth rates, as families may prefer to invest more in fewer children
Methods used
Job creation and economic stability: improved employment opportunities can reduce poverty
This leads to fewer children as families focus on education and careers
Welfare systems: governments that provide strong social welfare systems help families feel secure with fewer children
Outcomes
Higher living standards often lead to lower birth rates, as families feel less economic pressure to have many children
Economic development can slow population growth as people focus more on career and lifestyle choices over family size
Social and gender equality policies
Policies that promote gender equality and social development indirectly reduce birth rates
This is because these types of policies empower women to make informed family planning decisions
Methods used
Education for girls and women: increasing access to education leads to delayed marriages and childbirth, as well as smaller family sizes
Workforce participation: encouraging women to join the workforce allows them to focus on careers
This often leads to smaller families and later pregnancies
Outcomes
Improved gender equality leads to more choices for women, resulting in lower birth rates
Societies with greater gender equality have higher levels of education and economic participation, both of which can reduce population growth
Public health and welfare policies
Health policies affect population growth by lowering death rates and improving overall well-being
Both of these can influence birth rates
Methods used
Improved healthcare: providing better healthcare, especially maternal and child health services, reduces infant mortality
This can lead to smaller family sizes
Outcomes
Better healthcare reduces both death and birth rates, leading to more stable population growth
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Make sure you are able to differentiate between direct and indirect policies. Direct policies, like China’s One-Child Policy, explicitly target birth rates, while indirect policies, like improving girls' access to education in countries like Bangladesh, influence population growth through broader social changes.
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