This lesson "Population size and reproduction" is the first in the "Geography of the world population" section. The lesson provides information about the main indicators and characteristics of the population. From the lesson, you will understand how the population can be regulated, which countries are pursuing a demographic policy, how the population of our planet has changed.
Topic: World population geography
Lesson: Population size and reproduction
There is a separate direction in geographical science -population geography- this is one of the main branches of economic and social geography.
The main way to determine the population for a certain period of time is to conduct a population census.
Population census- a single process of collecting, summarizing, analyzing and publishing demographic, economic and social data of the population, relating as of a certain time to all persons in the country or a clearly limited part of it. Upon completion of the population census, the collected data are processed and published. Population accounting arose in ancient times in connection with the tax and military activities of states and the tasks of their administrative structure. Even in the ancient Indian laws of Manu, rulers were instructed to take into account the inhabitants in order to find out their strength and determine taxes. In Egypt, population records have been carried out since the era of the Old Kingdom (2800 - 2250 BC). There is evidence that population records were kept in ancient China and ancient Japan. The population census is usually carried out every 5-10 years.
The population of the Earth has been constantly growing. The greatest population growth was observed in the 20th century. Currently, the world population exceeds 7 billion people.
Countries of the world with the largest population
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2. Federal portal Russian Education (). 4. The official information portal of the exam (). |
The totality of indicators such as mortality and fertility determines in a particular society the peculiarities of the renewal of generations. The main trend of demographic development is a gradual decrease in both the birth rate and the death rate. The dynamics of both of these indicators, their ratio, and, consequently, natural increase are different both in space and in time.
In this article, we will consider various types of population reproduction, describe each of them in detail, and give examples.
The evolution of mortality and fertility is reflected in the concept of "demographic transition". This theory is that it is primarily due to socio-economic factors, not biological ones. According to this view, in various regions and countries of the world, the demographic situation has a similar development trend. First, there are high rates of mortality and fertility, and then the mortality gradually begins to decrease due to the fact that economic and social conditions, while the birth rate remains at the same level or decreases much more slowly. After some time, both of these indicators stabilize gradually at a low level.
Different regions of the Earth and countries, in accordance with social evolution, are currently at different stages of their demographic development, due to which there are several types of reproduction at the same time, which are characterized by a combination of relevant demographic indicators.
The earliest and first of these is called the archetype, corresponds to the phase of the so-called "demographic transition". The archetype dominated the primitive society that was at the level of the appropriating economy, and today it is very rare, for example, in some Indian tribes of the Amazon. In these peoples, the mortality rate is so high that the number of their inhabitants may be reduced. There are other types of population reproduction. We present you the next one.
The second type of population reproduction, called "patriarchal" or "traditional", exists when material base poorly developed, there is a strong dependence of people on the forces of nature. A similar type dominates in an agrarian or industrial society in its early stages. Its main distinguishing features are a very high birth rate, but at the same time mortality, low life expectancy of the population. People are guided by the maximum number of births. Cultural and social traditions encourage having many children, which contributes to the best functioning of the family in an agrarian society. High mortality is a consequence of the fact that the standard of living of these people is low, they are malnourished and engaged in hard work, receive insufficient medical care.
In many developing countries(Brazil, Mexico, Philippines, etc.) this "traditional" type of reproduction has changed over the past decades. The mortality rate has significantly decreased (up to 6-10%), as health care has improved, in particular, the successes of medicine in the fight against various infectious diseases have been noted. However, the traditionally high birth rate remains largely unchanged. The population growth as a result of this is very large, it is about 2.5-3% per year. These countries of the type called "transitional" predetermine high rates of population growth in the second half of the 20th century.
We continue to tell you about the features of mortality and fertility in different states. Types of population reproduction are supplemented by one more. The next, third, so-called "rational" or "modern", takes place during the transition to an industrial economy from an agrarian one, a decrease in dependence on nature. The conditions of demographic relations are changing radically, they are becoming more flexible, and therefore allow for wide freedom of personal choice. The "modern" type of population reproduction is marked by a low birth rate, a mortality rate close to the average on the planet, a small natural increase, and a high life expectancy. It is present in economically developed countries with a higher level of culture and life of the population. Low fertility is closely related here to the conscious choice of family size, there is a large percentage older people, which has an impact on the mortality rate. In Denmark and Germany, mortality prevails over it, so the number increases only due to migration.
These are the main types of population reproduction.
Today, in most countries, mortality rates differ insignificantly. But it should be noted that the reasons for this situation are different in them. For example, in Western Europe there are conditions that are much more favorable in socio-economic terms than in developing countries. Life expectancy is correspondingly higher, but mortality rates are comparable, and sometimes even higher, than in some developing countries. This happens because in Western Europe there are a large number of elderly people (that is, there is a so-called "aging of the nation"). Consequently, according to one of the approaches, types are divided mainly according to the birth rate. Thus, the following types of population reproduction can be distinguished (there are only two of them).
The first of them is called "demographic winter", marked by a low birth rate (up to 15%), as well as an average or low level mortality. Natural growth, as a result, for countries with a "demographic winter" is quite low - it does not exceed ten percent. The first type of reproduction of the country's population is characteristic of economically developed states. In countries with it, there may even be demographic crises, in other words, a natural population decline.
The second type ("demographic spring") has a high birth rate, therefore, a large natural increase. With such reproduction, mortality can be medium, sometimes low. It includes developing countries.
It should be noted that the division of territories and countries into types of population reproduction is very conditional. There are many states demographic development who do not have pronounced features of one type or another. Therefore, in order to characterize countries on a demographic basis, specific indicators of population growth are sometimes used. Thus, five groups can be distinguished. They are characterized by natural growth: very high, high, medium, low and negative.
One of the most important tasks facing the geographical sciences that study population is to identify the demographic situation (situation), understood as a state of demographic processes in a certain period of time, which is a certain stage of a long-term trend in which the population develops. In order to analyze it, it is necessary to determine the mode and type of reproduction of a separate social community or territory, for which the most important demographic indicators are used.
China is a state that has survived in recent times Big changes in the social sphere. At present, this country is characterized by the first type of population reproduction - low mortality and birth rates.
The policy of the state to limit the birth rate (one child per family) has recently borne fruit. In China today, its coefficient is approximately 1.7-1.8 (that is, this is the number of children per average mother), while simple reproduction requires a coefficient of 2.1.
The population of this country last years slowly increases due to the fact that life expectancy is growing, and not due to the birth rate. The proportion of older people is constantly increasing in China, which is also an indicator characteristic of countries that make up the first type of population reproduction.
The transition from the second to the first was also facilitated by economic development rapidly developing in recent decades. All this improves the demographic situation of the country. Today we can definitely say that the type of reproduction of the population of China is precisely the first.
World population Population population Reproduction of the population The first type of reproduction The second type of reproduction Composition of the population Sex composition Age composition, labor resources Ethnic composition Religious composition Education level Population distribution and migration Population distribution and density Population migration Urban and rural population Urbanization Levels and rates Urban population Rural population Population and environment
Dynamics of the world population since the beginning of our era
World population Population population Demographic policy Population reproduction First type of reproduction Second type of reproduction Population composition Gender composition Age composition, labor resources Ethnic composition Religious composition Education level Population distribution and migration Population distribution and density Population migration Urban and rural population Urbanization Levels and rates Urban population Rural population population Population and environment Demographic policy Demographic policy Demographic policy
The demographic policy in the countries of the first type of reproduction is aimed at increasing the birth rate. Examples of countries pursuing an active demographic policy are France or Japan, which have developed such stimulating economic measures as: a) one-time loans to newlyweds; b) benefits for the birth of each child; in) monthly allowances for children, d) paid holidays, etc.
Example 1: In India: a) a national family planning program has been adopted; b) the age of marriage has been raised: men - 21 years old, women - 18 years old; c) mass voluntary sterilization of the population is carried out; d) the political motto: "We are two - we are two." Example 2: In China: a) a birth planning committee has been set up; b) a late age for marriage has been established: men - 22 years old, women - 20 years old; c) for one child in the family, the state pays extra monthly; d) political motto: "One family - one child" Demographic policy in countries of the second type of reproduction is aimed at reducing the birth rate.
v The world's population is extremely unevenly distributed. REASONS: ü ü the influence of natural conditions, the peculiarities of the settlement of the territory, various natural population growth, the impact of social - economic conditions. v 70% of the population lives on only 7% of the land area. v The bulk of people live within the temperate, subtropical and subequatorial climatic zones. v 15% of the land area is undeveloped by people - these are areas with extreme natural conditions. v On Earth, there are several regions of the highest concentration of population: Ø Ø East Asia - home to about 1 billion people. South and Southeast Asia - about 1.3 billion people live. Foreign Europe- about 500 million people live. Northeast USA - home to about 100 million people.
Placement and population density The population is distributed extremely unevenly: about 70% of all people live on 7% of the earth's land area. Along with this, about half of the inhabited land has an average population density of less than 5 people per 1 km 2. Areas completely undeveloped by people occupy 15% of the land. Naturally, people settled and mastered, first of all, the most favorable territories for life and rich in various resources. Since ancient times, a great impact on the resettlement of people has been their employment in agriculture. With the beginning of the development of industry, large clumps of population formed in Europe and the USA. Finally, throughout the history of human civilization, the distribution of people has been strongly affected by the attraction to transport and trade routes. Average density population of the Earth - 45 people per km 2. A certain number and density of the population are necessary prerequisites for the development of each country.
Population growth in million people 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 5295 5381 5469 5556 5644 5734 5811 5881 5952 6020 6091
Male predominance Equal number of males and females Female predominance Africa Asia (China, India) Latin America North Africa Australia Oceania Europe North America
Economically developed countries Developing countries Peculiarities of the pyramid: Ø narrow base (low proportion of children) Ø fairly wide top (high proportion of elderly people) Ø predominance of women in old age. Ø broad base (high proportion of children) Ø narrow top (low proportion of older people) Ø the male to female ratio does not differ significantly.
Population dynamics at different stages of the development of human society By the beginning of the Neolithic (7-8 thousand years BC), there were only 10 million inhabitants on our planet, and the population growth rate was 10-20% per millennium 2000 years before n. e. - 50 million, by the beginning of our era - from 200 to 250 million people. The average annual increase is 0.1%. By the year 1000, it reached only 300 million people. In 1200-1300. The population of the Earth did not increase at all From 1300 to 1400, it even decreased somewhat. By 1500, earthlings became approximately 425-450 million.
A turning point in demographic processes From the second half of the 18th century. in Europe began a population explosion, or demographic revolution. By the second half of the XIX century. The world population has increased by 1.5 times. In the first half of the XX century. Two world wars had a negative impact on the course of demographic processes. In the second half of the twentieth century. there was an unprecedented population explosion associated with the countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America. During this time, the population of the Earth has increased by 2.5 times.
Reproduction (natural movement) is a combination of fertility, mortality and natural increase processes that ensure the continuous renewal and change of human generations Type I type (demographic crisis) Type II (population explosion)
year World population, thousand people 1900 1 650 000 1950 2 518 629 1955 2 755 823 1960 3 021 475 1965 3 334 874 1970 3 692 492 1975 4 068 109 1980 434 682 1982 1985 4 830 979 1990 5 263 593 1995 5 674 380 2000 581 2005 6 343,628 2010 7,000 World population change in the 20th century - During which period did the world population increase the most? Population explosion - a sharp increase in population
The world average rate of natural increase is 17‰. Differences in natural increase in regions and countries of the world Indicator Very high High eating. growth Average eats. growth Low eating. Growth Very low. growth Value More than 30‰ 20 -30‰ 10 -20‰ 2 -10‰ Less than 2‰ Africa, Asia, Latin. America North. America, Europe, CIS China India Turkey Cuba Brazil Poland France Czech Republic USA Hungary Germany Bulgaria Austria Italy Russia Regions Countries Africa Niger Kenya Zimbabwe Libya Nigeria Mongolia Philippines Bangladesh Ethiopia Egypt
Demographic policy is a purposeful activity government agencies and other social institutions in the field of regulating the processes of population reproduction TYPES OF DEMOGRAPHIC POLICY: Policy aimed at reducing the birth rate (in developing countries) Policy aimed at increasing the birth rate developed countries)
Measures To increase the birth rate To reduce the birth rate Economic Paid holidays and various allowances for the birth of children, allowances for children depending on their number, age and family composition, various loans, credits, tax and housing benefits, etc. Now it is very developed in Russia Benefits for small families. In China, for example, families with one child are given better housing, help to arrange children in kindergarten, school and university working women, etc. Legislative acts regulating the age of marriage, the use of contraceptives, etc. It is especially common in India. More than 5 million men and women are sterilized annually Educational and propaganda Formation of public opinion, norms and standards of demographic behavior, determination of attitudes towards religious and other traditions of the customs of reproduction of the population, to sexual education and education of young people, etc. Propaganda of contraceptives, formation of public opinion, norms and standards of demographic behavior, attitude towards family planning policy, etc. It is carried out both in China and in India and Pakistan
>>Geography: Population size and reproduction
Population size and reproduction
1. World population: very fast growth!
Geographers and demographers make extensive use of population census data in their work. Ever since the beginning of the 19th century. there were more than 2,000 such censuses in the world, which today in most developed countries are carried out every five or ten years. .
According to estimates by demographic statisticians, more than 100 billion people have been born on Earth in the entire history of mankind. But throughout most of this history population growth was slow, and acceleration came only in the period of modern and especially modern times. So, over the past millennium, the first doubling of the population took 600 years, for the second 250, for the third about 100, and for the fourth a little more than 40 years. This means that never before has the world population increased as rapidly as in the middle and second half of the 20th century! In 1950, it reached 2.5 billion, in 1980, 4.4 billion, and in 2006, 6.5 billion people. .
Example. If at the beginning of the twentieth century the absolute annual increase in the population of the Earth was 10 - 15 million, and in the middle of the century 40-50 million, then in the 80-90s of the twentieth century. it reached 80-85 million people, which exceeds the number of inhabitants in any European state, except Russia.
1 Ethnology ( ethnography, from Greek. ethpos tribe, people) is the science of the origin of peoples (ethnic groups), their characteristic features and the relationship between them, which are determined by ethnic processes.
2 Demography(from the Greek detos people and ggapho I write) the science of the patterns of population reproduction, studying its size, natural increase, age and sex composition, etc.
However, in different regions of the world, the population today is growing differently: in some slowly, in others faster, and in others very quickly. This is due to the different nature of its reproduction. (Exercise 1.)
2. The concept of population reproduction.
The scientific theory of population considers the population involved in labor like g main productive force society, the basis of all social production. Constantly interacting with nature (the geographical environment), the population plays an active role in its transformation. At the same time, the population, and each of you feels it for yourself, also acts as the main consumer of all created material goods. That's why number population one of important factors development of each country, and of all mankind.
In turn, population growth depends on the nature of its reproduction.
Under the reproduction (natural movement) of the population is understood the totality of the processes of fertility, mortality and natural increase, which ensure the continuous renewal and change of human generations.
Fertility, mortality, natural population growth are basically biological processes. But nevertheless, the socio-economic conditions of people's lives, as well as the relationship between them in society and in the family, have a decisive influence on them. .
The mortality rate depends primarily on the material conditions of people's lives: nutrition, sanitary and hygienic conditions of work and life, on the development health care. The birth rate also depends on the socio-economic structure of society, on the living conditions of people. But this dependence is much more complex and controversial, causing a lot of controversy in science. As a rule, as prosperity and culture grow, women become more and more involved in industrial and social activities, the length of time for children to study, and the “price of a child” generally increase, the birth rate decreases. But the growth of incomes can also serve as an incentive to increase it.
A very large negative impact on the reproduction of the population is exerted by wars, primarily world wars, which lead to huge human losses both as a result of direct hostilities, and as a result of the spread of hunger and disease, and the breaking of family ties.
In the most simplified, generalized form, we can talk about two types of population reproduction.
3. The first type of population reproduction: the demographic crisis.
The first type of population reproduction is characterized by low birth rates, death rates and, accordingly, natural growth. It has become widespread primarily in economically developed countries, where the proportion of elderly and old people is constantly growing; this in itself reduces the birth rate and increases the death rate of the population.
However, in addition to the demographic factor, socio-economic reasons also play an important role, causing increased mortality from diseases, life disorder, military conflicts, an increase in crime, industrial injuries, various natural and man-made disasters, accidents, as well as from deterioration in the quality of the environment. environment. But even among the countries of the first type of reproduction, three subgroups can be distinguished. First, these are countries with an average annual natural population growth of approximately 0.5% (or 5 people per 1,000 inhabitants, or 5%0). In such countries, examples of which are the United States, Canada, Australia, a fairly significant increase in population is ensured.
This requires that approximately half of all families have two children, and half three. Two children over time “replace” their parents, and the third not only covers the loss from illnesses, accidents, etc., but also compensates for the absence of offspring among the childless. but also provides a sufficient overall increase.
Secondly, these are countries with zero natural growth or close to it. Such an increase no longer ensures an expanded reproduction of the population, which usually stabilizes at the achieved level.
Example. All countries of the second subgroup are in Europe. These are Belgium, Denmark, Portugal, Poland. Sweden. The population in these countries is no longer growing.
Thirdly, these are countries with a negative natural increase, i.e., those where the death rate exceeds the birth rate.
As a result, the number of their inhabitants not only does not grow, but even decreases. Demographers call this phenomenon depopulation 1(or demographic crisis). It is most typical for Europe.
Example. At the beginning of the XXI century. In Europe, there were already 15 countries with negative natural population growth. Of the CIS countries, they include Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, in which the socio-economic crisis that occurred in the 90s affected the indicators of natural population growth. 20th century (see table 12 in "Appendices").
1 D e pop u l i qi i(from the French depopulatiop) a decrease in the population of a country, region as a result of narrowed reproduction, leading to its absolute loss.
The transition from a large family characteristic of old Russia to a small family took place in our country during the period of the existence of the Soviet Union. But in the 90s. 20th century First of all, with the emergence of a deep socio-economic crisis, a real “collapse)) of natural population growth began. The birth rate in Russia (10.4 people per 1000 inhabitants) and at the beginning of the XXI century. remains very low.
Until relatively recently, the type of population reproduction that has developed in economically developed countries was often called rational. However, in the first half of the 90s of the twentieth century. its indicator dropped to 2% 0, and at the beginning of the 21st century. actually became zero. At the same time, many European countries have already entered the demographic crisis which adversely affects or may affect their entire development in the future.
4. The second type of population reproduction: population explosion.
For in topogo type of reproduction The population is characterized by high and very high birth rates and natural increase and relatively low mortality rates. It is typical primarily for developing countries.
After gaining independence, these countries were able to make wider use of the achievements of modern medicine, sanitation and hygiene, primarily to combat epidemic diseases. This led to a rather sharp reduction in mortality. The birth rate, for the most part, remained at a high level.
Of course, this is largely due to the persistence of thousands of years of tradition of early marriage and large families. . The average family size is now 6 people; as a rule, this is a three-generation family (parents, their children and grandchildren). In addition, it remains the main means of preserving living wage and children still serve as the main support of parents in old age. Yes, and infant mortality in these countries is still significant. Factors such as the prevalence of rural population, insufficient level of education, weak involvement of women in production.
At the beginning of the XXI century. the average annual rate of natural growth in developing countries was 1.6%, that is, it was 16 times higher than in economically developed countries!
But even against this background, the least developed countries stand out, where 800 million people live, or more than 1/10 of the world's population. They are distinguished by the highest birth rates and natural growth (2.4%); that is why it is among them that one should look for “world record holders”.
You will find “record holders” in terms of average annual population growth among the countries of Tropical Africa and Southwest Asia. . (Task 2.)
Such a phenomenon of rapid population growth in countries of the second type of reproduction in the middle of the twentieth century. received a figurative name in the literature population explosion. Today, these countries (together with China) account for more than 4/5 of the total population of the planet and more than 95% of its annual growth. This means that out of 130 million children born each year, 124 million are born in developing countries. Including the population of Asia annually increases by about 40 million people, Africa by almost 30 million, Latin America by more than 9 million.
If in 1900 of the 15 largest countries in the world by number of inhabitants seven were in Europe, five in Asia and three in America, then in 2005 only two remained in this list. European countries(Germany and Russia), but there were eight Asian (China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Japan, Vietnam, Philippines), as well as three American (USA, Brazil, Mexico), two African (Nigeria, Egypt) (see .table 14 in the "Appendices").
Along with this, it is impossible not to pay attention to the fact that in some more "advanced" developing countries, a rather noticeable decrease in the rate of natural population growth has already begun. Examples of this kind are Brazil, India, Turkey, Morocco, Tunisia. And China, Argentina, Chile, Sri Lanka, Thailand have actually moved into the group of countries of the first type of reproduction.
Nevertheless, developing countries have and will continue to have a decisive influence on the size and reproduction of the population, primarily determining the demographic situation throughout the world.(Creative task 3.)
5. Demographic policy management of population reproduction.
Nowadays, most of the countries of the world seek to manage the reproduction of the population by conducting a state demographic policy.
Demographic policy is a system of administrative, economic, propaganda and other measures by which the state influences the natural movement of the population (primarily the birth rate) in the desired direction. It is clear that the direction population policy depends primarily on demographic situation in one country or another.
In countries of the first type of population reproduction, demographic policy is predominant, aimed at increasing the birth rate and natural population growth. It is carried out with the help of mainly various stimuli. economic measures such as lump-sum loans to newlyweds, benefits for the birth of each child, monthly allowances for children, paid holidays, etc. France, Japan, and Russia can serve as examples of countries pursuing an active demographic policy.
Most of the countries of the second type of reproduction in recent decades began to implement a demographic policy aimed at reducing the birth rate and natural population growth. Perhaps the greatest efforts in this regard are being made by the two largest countries in the world, China and India.
Example 1 The Chinese Constitution states that spouses must carry out planned childbearing. A committee on planned childbearing has been created, and permission from local authorities must be obtained for the birth of a child. A later age for marriage has been established. During the period of study at the institute, marriages, as a rule, are not allowed. The main motto of the demographic policy of the People's Republic of China is: "One family - one child." The implementation of this policy has already yielded results.
Example 2 India was the first of the developing countries back in 1951 to adopt national program family planning as the official public policy. The age of marriage was significantly raised, mass voluntary sterilization of the population is carried out, a family of four is promoted under the motto: "We are two - we are two." As a result of these measures, the birth rate and natural increase decreased somewhat, but nevertheless, almost 1/5 of all newborns in the world are children born in India.
However, many difficulties arise in the way of implementing demographic policy, not only financial and economic, but also moral and ethical. In the 90s of the twentieth century. Especially great discussions were caused by the question of the right of a woman to terminate a pregnancy, which the Catholic Church sharply opposed. . Many Muslim Arab countries, especially in Southwest Asia, for reasons of religious morality generally reject any "family planning" measures. No demographic policy is pursued by most of the least developed countries of Tropical Africa.
6. Theory of demographic transition.
An important scientific basis for conducting demographic policy is the theory demographic transition, which explains the sequence of changes in demographic processes. The scheme of such a transition itself includes four successive stages.
For first stage, which covered almost the entire history of mankind, were characterized by very high birth and death rates and, accordingly, very low natural increase; now it is almost never seen.
Second phase characterized by a sharp reduction in mortality (thanks primarily to the successes of medicine) while maintaining the traditional high birth rate. This "fork" between the first and second indicators became the initial cause of the population explosion.
The third stage is characterized by the persistence of low mortality rates (and sometimes even their slight increase associated with the “aging” of the population). The birth rate is also declining, but usually still slightly exceeds the death rate, ensuring a moderate expanded reproduction and population growth.
When moving to fourth stage birth and death rates are the same. This means a transition to population stabilization. (Task 4.)
7. Population quality like new complex concept.
Recently, in science and practice, indicators that characterize not only the quantity but also the quality of the population have become increasingly important. This is a complex, complex concept that takes into account economic (employment, per capita income, caloric intake), social (level of health care, security of citizens, development of democratic institutions), cultural (level of literacy, provision of cultural institutions, printed matter), ecological (environmental state) and other living conditions of people.
Recently, the UN and other international organizations, when determining the quality of a country's population, have focused on the state of its health, which, in turn, largely depends on the level of health care and the general standard of living. In the second half of the twentieth century. notable progress has been made in this respect, including in developing countries. However, many problems remain unresolved.
Example. The world average infant mortality rate is 55 children per 1,000 live births. In economically developed countries, it is only 8 children, while in developing countries it is 60, and in the least developed 100. Moreover, in Africa and Asia there are still countries where this figure reaches 150-160 (Liberia, Niger, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan ).
Another important generalizing criterion for the state of health of a nation is the indicator life expectancy one . At the beginning of the XXI century. it averages 66 years for the whole world (64 years for men AND 68 years for women). The corresponding figures for economically developed countries are 72 and 80, for developing countries 62 and 66, including 51 and 53 for the least developed countries.
Example 1 The highest average life expectancy in the world in Japan is 82 years (men 79, women 86). Sweden, Iceland, Spain, Canada have almost the same figures (see Table 15 of the Appendix).
Example 2 The world's lowest life expectancy in African countries Zambia and Sierra Leone (32-34 years). Similar indicators are slightly higher for some other countries of Tropical Africa (see table 15 of the "Appendices").
1 Average life expectancy - life expectancy of the population, which is determined using calculations based on the theory of probability. It depends both on biological, hereditary characteristics, and on the conditions of nutrition, work, life. Measured in years.
Average life expectancy in Russia in the 90s. decreased under the influence of the socio-economic crisis, amounting to about 65.3 years in 2005 (59 years for men and 72 years for women). By the way, there is no such a huge gap between the indicators of both sexes in any other country in the world.
Another important indicator the quality of the population - the level of literacy. In economically developed countries, illiteracy has actually been completely or almost completely eliminated. But in the developing countries, in spite of the recent progress, the level of education in general is still quite low, especially among the rural inhabitants.
Example. In Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, more than 80% of all residents are illiterate, in Somalia more than 70%, in Senegal, Liberia, Ethiopia, Pakistan, Bangladesh more than 50%.
According to the UN, in 1990 about 960 million people could neither read nor write. Since then, with the ongoing population explosion, the total number of illiterates has fallen by 150 million. The absolute number of illiterate people is particularly high in South and East Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. In South Asia, illiterates make up about half of the total population.
