ISSUES
: Our Changing Population
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Glossary
Glossary
Ageing population
A population whose average age is rising. This can
be caused by increased life expectancy, for example
following significant medical advances, or by falling
birth rates, for example due to the introduction of
contraception. However, the higher the proportion of
older people within a population, the lower the birth
rate will become due to there being fewer people of
childbearing age.
Asylum seeker
Someone who has fled their country because
they personally are at risk of political violence or
persecution, and seek the protection of another state.
Birth rate
The number of live births within a population over a
given period of time, often expressed as the number
of births per 1,000 of the population.
Death rate
The number of deaths within a population over a given
period of time, often expressed as number of deaths
per 1,000 of the population.
Demographic changes
Demographics refer to the structure of a population.
We are currently experiencing an increase in our
ageing population. People are living longer thanks to
advancements in medical treatment and care. Soon,
the world will have more older people than children.
This means that the need for long-term care is rising.
Demographics
Statistical characteristics of a population: for example,
age, race or employment status.
Emigration
Leaving one’s native country to live in another state.
People emigrate for many reasons, but most often
with the aim of seeking out better living and working
conditions.
Immigrant
To immigrate is to move permanently from your home
country, and settle somewhere else.
Infant mortality rate
The number of infant deaths (infants are usually defined
as one year old or younger) per 1,000 live births of the
population.
Long-term international migrant
A long-term international migrant is defined as
someone who moves to a country other than that of
his or her usual residence for a period of at least a
year, so that the country of destination becomes his or
her new country of usual residence.
Migration
To migrate is to move from one’s home country and
settle in another.
Natural change
Natural change is the number of births minus the
number of deaths.
Net migration
Net migration is the number of immigrants minus the
number of emigrants.
Population growth
An increase in the number of people who inhabit a
specific region. This is caused by a higher birth rate
and net immigration than the death rate and net
emigration. Since the start of the 20th century the rate
of global population growth has increased drastically,
growing from just 1.6 billion at the turn of the 20th
century to seven billion today.
Refugee
A person who has left their home country and cannot
return because they fear that they will be persecuted
on the grounds of race, religion, nationality, political
affiliation or social group. In the UK a person is officially
known as a refugee when they claim asylum and this
claim is accepted by the Government.
Sustainable population
A population which has enough natural resources
within its environment to thrive, but uses them in a
manner which allows for them to be constantly renewed
and replaced, thereby ensuring that resources will be
available to future generations.
