Cambridge IGCSE Geography
Population Dynamics
Case Study Population decline – Russia Average birth and death rates in the former USSR
Latvia
Estonia
Russia
20 15 10 5
30
0
25 20 15 10 5 0
Ukraine
Moldova
Georgia
Armenia
Azerbaijan Turkmenistan Uzbekistan
Tajikistan
Kyrgyzstan Kazakhstan
Russia’s birth and death rates 1950 to 2014
Russia’s population 1960 to 2100
30
140
25
120
20
100
15
(Per 1,000 persons)
160
80 60
prediction Prediction
Population (millions)
18
Source A shows Russia and the other countries which, up to 1991, formed the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). The population of Russia in 2013 was 143 million. In 1991 the population was at its highest but it has decreased mainly because of a higher death rate than birth rate. Despite some recent increases in the birth rate, the population is predicted to continue to decrease throughout the rest of the century. Alcohol-related deaths in Russia are very high, levels of HIV/AIDS, heart disease and tuberculosis are high, and male life expectancy is relatively low at 64 years. Russian women, who are highly educated, do not want large numbers of children. Immigration into Russia is low, and many emigrants are moving away from Russia, particularly to Western Europe to look for a better lifestyle.
40 20 0
1960
1980
2000
2020 2040 Years
10 5
Births
Natural Growth
Deaths
0 -5
2060
2080
2100
TASK 1: Study Source a Name the country shown on the map with the highest rate of natural population growth. b Work out the average natural population decline of Russia per 1000 people. c Name three other countries shown on the map that have experienced natural population decline. TASK 2: Study Source a Describe how the total population of Russia changed between 1960 and 2013 and is predicted to change up to 2100. Use statistics and years in your answer.
-10
1950 1952 1954 1956 1958 1960 1962 1964 1966 1968 1970 1972 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014
Lithuania
25
Death rate (per 1000 people)
Belarus
Birth rate (per 1000 people)
30
What is happening to Russia’s population?
b Match the following beginnings and endings of sentences to complete three sentences which explain why Russia’s population is now declining. Death rates are high … … because Russian women prefer to have careers rather than large numbers of children. Birth rates are low … … as more people move out of Russia than into the country. Population is lost through … because of high levels of migration alcoholism, heart disease and accidents.