Population growth rate

Definition

Population growth rate measures the change in the number of individuals in a population over a specific period, typically expressed as a percentage. It is crucial for understanding demographic trends and their implications on resource allocation and representation.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The population growth rate can influence how seats are apportioned in legislative bodies.
2. High population growth rates can lead to more representation under certain apportionment methods.
3. Population growth rate is calculated using birth rates, death rates, immigration, and emigration data.
4. It affects political strategies and policies as areas with higher growth may require more resources.
5. Different apportionment methods handle changes in population growth rates differently, impacting fairness.

Review Questions

• What factors are used to calculate the population growth rate?
• How can a high population growth rate impact legislative representation?
• Why is understanding the population growth rate important for apportionment methods?

Related terms

Apportionment:

The process of distributing seats in a legislative body based on population.

Fairness Criterion: A standard used to evaluate whether an apportionment method fairly represents populations.

Quota Rule: A principle stating that each state's number of seats should be proportional to its share of the total population.