Understanding Global Development: GDP, Fertility, and Food Security
M10/3/GEOGR/BP1/ENG/TZ0/XX
Question 2
(a) (i) Relationship between GDP per capita and Total Fertility Rate
The graph shows a negative correlation between GDP per capita and total fertility rate. As GDP per capita increases, the total fertility rate generally decreases. There are some fluctuations and uneven falls in the trend.
(a) (ii) Country Deviating from the General Relationship
Zimbabwe is an example of a country that does not follow the general relationship between GDP per capita and total fertility rate.
(b) Factors Influencing Total Fertility Rate
Besides GDP per capita, several factors can influence changes in total fertility rate. Two examples include:
- Increased Female Literacy Rates: Higher female literacy rates often lead to greater empowerment of women, giving them more control over family size and potentially leading to lower fertility rates.
- Shift Away from Subsistence Farming: As countries transition away from subsistence farming, children may be seen as less of an economic asset and more of an economic burden, potentially leading to lower fertility rates.
(c) Core and Periphery Differences: A Case Study
(Note: A map should be included here, illustrating the chosen country and clearly delineating its core and periphery regions. The map should be appropriately titled and labeled.)
This map depicts the core and periphery regions of [Chosen Country]. Key differences between these regions include:
- Demographic Characteristics: The core often exhibits higher population density and attracts migrants from the periphery.
- Physical Attributes: The core may have more favorable physical attributes, such as access to resources or better infrastructure.
- Urbanization: The core typically has higher levels of urbanization compared to the periphery.
- Economic Activity: The core often concentrates higher-value economic activities, while the periphery may rely on lower-value activities.
- Services and Infrastructure: The core generally has better access to services and infrastructure, such as healthcare and education.
- Political Power and Investment: The core often holds more political power and attracts greater investment.
(d) GDP Per Capita as an Indicator of Development
While GDP per capita (total value of goods and services produced divided by population size) is a widely used indicator of a country’s development level, its effectiveness is debatable.
Strengths of GDP per capita:
- Facilitates comparisons between countries.
- Serves as a component of the Human Development Index (HDI).
- Provides insights into potential spending on health and education.
Weaknesses of GDP per capita:
- Fails to capture other crucial aspects of development, such as political freedom, equality, and environmental sustainability.
- May suffer from data accuracy issues.
- Doesn’t account for income inequality within a country.
Therefore, while GDP per capita offers valuable insights, it should be considered alongside other indicators to gain a comprehensive understanding of a country’s development level.
Question 3
(a) Pattern of Undernutrition in Children Under Five in Asia
Child undernutrition in Asia is highest in South-West Asia, particularly in countries like India, Pakistan, Cambodia, and Bangladesh. Conversely, undernutrition is lowest in surrounding areas, including China, Central Asia, and the Middle East. The pattern is uneven, with some variations within these regions.
(b) Malnutrition vs. Undernutrition
Undernutrition refers to a shortage of food or insufficient calorie and protein intake (quantity). Malnutrition, on the other hand, refers to an imbalance of essential nutrients, such as vitamins, fats, and carbohydrates (quality or deficiency). In simpler terms, undernutrition is about not having enough food, while malnutrition is about not having the right kinds of food.
(c) Limitations of Food Aid in Alleviating Hunger
While food aid can provide crucial short-term relief in emergencies, it doesn’t always effectively alleviate hunger in the long term. Some reasons for this include:
- Dependency: Food aid can sometimes create dependency, discouraging local food production.
- Political Influence: Food aid can be used as a political tool, potentially exacerbating existing conflicts.
- Corruption: Food aid can be susceptible to corruption, preventing it from reaching those in need.
- Market Disruption: Food aid can depress local food prices, harming local farmers.
Examples include the impact of food aid in countries like Ethiopia and Somalia, where it has provided vital relief but also raised concerns about long-term dependency and market distortions.
(d) Human Influence on Carrying Capacity
Carrying capacity refers to the maximum population size an environment can sustainably support. Human activities can significantly influence a country’s carrying capacity.
Increasing Carrying Capacity: Technological advancements, such as the Green Revolution and genetically modified crops, can increase agricultural yields and potentially raise carrying capacity.
Decreasing Carrying Capacity: Unsustainable practices, such as overgrazing, deforestation, and pollution, can degrade the environment and reduce carrying capacity.
The debate surrounding carrying capacity often draws on the contrasting perspectives of Malthus and Boserup. Malthus argued that population growth would eventually outstrip resources, leading to collapse. Boserup, conversely, argued that innovation and technological advancements would allow humans to adapt and increase carrying capacity. Ultimately, human actions play a pivotal role in shaping the carrying capacity of countries, either through sustainable practices that enhance it or unsustainable practices that diminish it.