Population Growth Calculation

To determine the number of years it will take for a population to double, we need to consider the birth and death rates. The birth rate represents the number of births per 1000 individuals in a given population, while the death rate represents the number of deaths per 1000 individuals.

Calculating Net Population Growth Rate

The net population growth rate is calculated by subtracting the death rate from the birth rate.

Net population growth rate = Birth rate - Death rate

In this case, the birth rate is 39.4 per 1000, and the death rate is 19.4 per 1000.

Net population growth rate = 39.4 - 19.4 = 20

Calculation of Doubling Time

To calculate the doubling time, we can use the formula:

Doubling time (in years) = 70 / Net population growth rate

Using the net population growth rate we calculated earlier (20), we can plug it into the formula:

Doubling time = 70 / 20 = 3.5 years

This means that the population will double every 3.5 years.

Explanation

The net population growth rate represents the overall increase in population due to the difference between births and deaths. In this scenario, the net population growth rate is positive, indicating that the number of births exceeds the number of deaths.

The doubling time is calculated by dividing the constant 70 by the net population growth rate. This formula provides an estimate of the number of years it will take for a population to double under constant growth conditions.

It is important to note that this calculation assumes no immigration or emigration, meaning the population growth is solely determined by births and deaths. Factors such as migration can significantly impact population growth and may need to be considered separately.

Overall, the doubling time calculation provides an estimation of population growth over time, allowing us to understand and plan for future demographic changes.