| Population
growth - a comparison
By
Marjorie Henry, Contributor
 |
| Bridgeport
High's Caniggia Raynor (left) accepts his overall boys' champion trophy from committee
member Orville Brown at the WATA/ Ciclon/JC Development Track & Field Meet
awards ceremony held in Jamaica College's library, last month. |
Having
looked at the factors affecting population growth in Jamaica and The United States,
we now need to turn our attention to a comparison of these factors between these
two countries. When
asked for a comparison, you are required to state what is alike and/or different
in each country, about each factor discussed. This
is the way to ensure that you gain maximum marks for the question.
An easy approach to answering a question on comparison is that of using a table
or columns. By this approach, it is unlikely that you will miss any aspect of
the comparison. Factors | Jamaica
| United
States | | Fertility | This
has consistently fallen over the past 27 years. In 2004, it went to a low of 1.98
in every 1,000 women. There was an increase in subsequent years as it reached
2.41 in 2006.
Birth
control is readily available. | There
was a general decline of the fertility rate from 2.5 in every 1,000 women to 2.0
since 1970. The average fertility rate in 2006 is 2.13, the highest since 1971.
Fertility
rate varies with different minority groups. Birth
control is readily available. | | Mortality
| A
downward trend is indicated. In 1999, the infant mortality rate (IMR) was at 24.5
per 1000 live births. The maternal mortality rate (MMR) was 111 per 100,000 live
births in 1998. | In
2006, infant mortality rate was 5 per 1,000 live births. The maternal mortality
rate from 1970 to 1980 moved from 21.5 to 9.4 deaths per 100 000 live births.
From 1980 to 1998, the MMR remained between six and seven deaths per 100,000 live
births. | | Life
Expectancy | This
has increased since the early 1970s from 69 years to 76 years. Infant
mortality has been reduced. This
has increased over the years. In 2004, it was 77.9 years. |
This
has increased over the years. In 2004, it was 77.9 years.
Infant
mortality rates have been lowered. | | Improved
Education | As
more women become educated, they are more employable and have more choices. This
has contributed to a decline in birth rate. | More
emigration than immigration has occurred over the years. The main countries of
destination are The U.S.A., Canada, Britain and other Caribbean countries. | | Migration
| More
educational opportunities and jobs are open to women. They choose careers over
childbirth. This has led to a decline in the birth rate. In
recent times, immigration comprises returned residents, commonwealth and non-commonwealth
nationals and 'deportees'. | Immigration
has greatly affected population growth. There are large inflows of immigrants
from Latin America, Asia and North America. |
Marjorie
Henry is a vice-principal at Glenmuir High School and is head of the Geography
Department. She teaches the subject at the CSEC Level. |
