Chapter 4: Population and Urbanisation in Africa

Keywords

1. population
2. birth rate
3. death rate
4. census
5. population
6. density
7. urbanisation
8. abstinence
9. demographic transition
10. distribution
11. migration
12. rural
13. rapid

After studying this chapter, you should be able to;

1. understand the concepts related to population
2. understand the relationship between population, resources and the provision of services
3. understand the demographic transition model and how this relates to the historical growth and population structures of East Africa
4. understand the factors which have led to rapid population increase in Uganda and the rest of East Africa use maps, statistics, graphs, and diagrams to analyse population
5. know the areas of high, moderate and low population density in Africa
6. locate and name some major urban areas in Africa
7. understand the distribution of the population of some countries is growing faster than others
8. appreciate the advantages and problems of having a large or rapidly increasing population in a country
9. understand the methods which can be used to control the rate of population growth
10. appreciate the need for and use of population control methods use statistics and graphs to show rapid urban development
11. understand rural-urban migration and the reasons for this type of migration
12. understand the rapid growth of urban areas, problems facing urban areas and effects of urbanisation on the environment
13. draw maps to show the main areas of high density of population and main
14. urban areas of Africa appreciate the need for planning urban areas and urban growth
15. understand the relationship between a rapidly growing population and urbanisation

Introduction

In Senior Two, you learnt about population and urbanisation in East Africa. You might have probably realised that population contributes to the development of urban centres, countries, regions and continents. Africa is rapidly urbanising: it is the most important structural transformation underway in the region.

By 2050, almost regardless of government policies, its urban population will have tripled. In Africa, population is unevenly distributed due to different reasons. In this chapter you will understand the growth rates and distribution of population in Africa, reasons for rapid urbanisation and its consequences.

Population growth and size in Africa

In Senior Two, you learnt about population and urbanisation in East Africa. You might have come across various concepts related to population. Define some of them. Similarly, the same concepts are used in reference to Africa.

To understand population, different population concepts must be understood first which include birth rates, death rates and mortality After doing tasks in activity 28.1, you will understand different concepts related to population

Activity 28.1 Understanding Concepts related to population

In groups, discuss concepts related to population and do the following tasks.

1 Write short notes on the following terms;

(a) Population size. (b) Birth rate. (c) Death rate. (d) Mortality. (e) Fertility.

(f) Life expectancy. (k) Sex ratio. (g) Population density. (h) Population distribution.

(i) Population growth rate. (j) Population structure.

2. Present your findings to the rest of the class through discussion.

3. Present your work to the teacher for further guidance.

In Senior Two, you could have learnt that the population of an area increases with time. It can either be positive or negative growth. It is directly linked to birth, fertility and death rates in Africa. After doing tasks in activity 28.2, you will understand population growth in Africa and the factors influencing growth rates. \

Activity 28.2 Describing Population Growth in Africa

Study table 28.1 showing population of Africa 1955-2020 and do the tasks that follow. Table 28.1: Population of Africa 1955-2020

You have learned that in 2020, the population of Africa grew by 2.49 percent compared to the previous year. The population growth rate in the continent has been constantly over 2.45 percent from 2000 onwards, and it peaked at 2.62 percent between 2012 and 2014. In 2021, Africa had over 1.36 billion inhabitants.

Despite a slowdown in the growth rate, the continent’s population will continue to increase significantly in the coming years, reaching nearly 2.5 billion people by 2050. Population.

Several factors are responsible for the rapid growth: a drop in mortality rates, a young population, improved standards of living, and attitudes and practices which favor high fertility. Africans view large families as an economic asset and as a symbol of worth and honor, and parents see it as security during old age.

Factors leading to rapid Population growth in Africa

You learned about population growth in East Africa, you should have noted that factors of population growth and growth rate that affect East Africa also affect Africa. You can discuss them with your neighbor. After doing tasks in activity 28.3, you will understand the factors Influencing Rapid Population growth in Africa.

Activity 28.3 Understanding factors leading rapid population growth in Africa

In groups,
1 Discuss the factors influencing rapid population increase in Africa?

2 Why is the population of some countries growing faster than others?

3 Present your work to the teacher for further guidance

Stages of Population Growth

Demographic transition model

Figure 28.1: stages of demographic transition
You might have known that, population growth takes place in different stages;pre- industrial, transition, industrial, and post-industrial. In the pre-industrial stage, crude birth rates and crude death rates remain close to each other keeping the population relatively level.

During the transition stage, however, improvements in health care delivery and medicines, coupled with investments in sanitation and infrastructure, bring a sharp drop in the crude death rates. During the industrial stage, crude death rates continue to decline, and it is theorized that economic development within the society bring incentives to bring the crude birth rates down slightly.

In the post-industrial stage, the population growth begins to level off because the crude birth rates have reduced to closely follow the crude death rates. After doing tasks in activity 28.4, you will understand the stages of population growth.

Activity 28.4 Describing the stages of population growth
In groups; carry out a library or internet research on the stages of population growthand do the following tasks.
1 Discuss the factors that lead to;
(i) High death rates.
(ii) High birth rates.
(iii) Low death rates.
(iv) Low birth rates.

2 At what stage of the demographic transitional model are countries of East Africa. Give reasons for your answer.

3 How is the demographic transition model related to the historical growth and population structures of East Africa?

4 Present your findings to the rest of the class through discussion.

You have learned that Stage one of the demographic transition model took place in the pre-industrial period; death rates and birth rates are high and roughly in balance. Population growth was slow and constant.

Stage two is called the transition stage, it is a characteristic of many developing countries, the death rates drop quickly due to improvements in food supply and sanitation, which increase life expectancies and reduce disease.

Stage three is known as the industrial stage. Death rates are low and birth rates diminish, as a rule accordingly of enhanced economic conditions, an expansion in women’s status and education, and access to contraception. Birth rates fall due to various fertility factors such as access to contraception.
Stage four is known as the Post-industrial stage.

There are both low birth rates and low death rates. Birth rates may drop to well below replacement level as has happened in countries like Germany, Italy, and Japan.
Stage five includes countries in which fertility rates have fallen significantly below replacement level (2 children) and the elderly population is greater than the youthful population.

Effects of Population Growth in Africa

Population growth can lead to changes in a population of a given region or country. Increase in population brings negative and positive effects. The rapid increase in population means that there will be an increase in the dependency ratio.

This implies that the country concerned will have to allocate increasing resources to feed, clothe, house and educate the useful component of the population which consumes but does not produce goods and services. After doing tasks in activity 28.5, you will be able to understand the effects of population growth in Africa.

Activity 28.5 Understanding the effects of population growth in Africa
In groups; carry out a textbook or internet search on the effects of population growth in Africa and do the following tasks.

1 What are the advantages of a rapidly growing population in Africa?

2 What problems that are most likely to result from a rapidly growing population in Africa.

3 Present your findings to the rest of the class through discussion.

You have learnt that a rapidly growing population has a serious impact on the provision of productive employment. Since the rapid population growth is normally accompanied by a proportionate increase in the supply of the labour force, it means that the rate of job creation should match the rate of supply of the labour force. Population increases also cause a number of serious problems on political and social conflicts among different ethnic, religious, linguistic and social groups.

As population growth increases there will be increasing demands for governmental services in health, education, welfare and other functions. Cause of or even the major contributing factor to violence aggression as the large proportion of young people, particularly those unemployed or have little hope for a satisfactory future. They might form disruptive and potentially explosive political force.

Possible ways to control Rapid Population growth in Africa

You could have learnt that Africa is one of the three leading continents in terms of population growth. You also learnt that there are many problems associated with a rapidly growing population which is why many countries are struggling to control the population. After doing tasks in activity 28.6, you will understand possible ways to control rapid population growth in Africa.

Activity 28.6 Understanding possible ways of controlling rapid population growth in Africa

In groups; read the dialogue and do the tasks that follow.
Mrs. Catherine: Good morning Mr. James. How are you doing?
Mr. James: Good morning Mrs. Catherine. I am well thank you. As you are rushing what is the problem?
Mrs. Catherine: I am in a hurry taking some stuff to our neighbour in the hospital. she gave birth.
Mr. James: Congratulations to her, isn’t that her 13th child now?
Mrs. Catherine: Yes, she has a total of 13 children now. And the husband has other children from different women. Actually, this village has families with too many children, women are constantly giving birth. This has increased the population making most of the resources like water, food, land scarce due to the increasing number of people.

Mr. James: I think we should talk to the village chairperson such that we organise a day and sensitize people on how to control this increasing population and the advantages of a low population as well.

Mrs. Catherine: This is a big task Mr. James because we have to involve doctors or nurses who will have to teach them about different family planning methods, so I think we need some time to organise.

Mr James: You are right but there are so many other measures besides family planning, for instance encouraging monogamy, encouraging formal education, poverty reduction policies, increasing the age of marriage among others. Therefore, even in the absence of nurses or doctors the sensitization can go on.
Mrs. Catherine: In addition, we can as well find ways of increasing incentives for small families and taxes for bigger families. By so doing the increasing population can be reduced.
Mr. James: All is right Mrs. Catherine, we shall meet again when you get back from the hospital, we talk to the chairperson and organise the day.

Mrs. Catherine: Thank you Mr. James, see you then.
1 Identify ways of controlling rapid population growth mentioned in the dialogue.

2 What other methods can be used to control rapid population growth in Africa and are not mentioned in the dialogue.
3 What are the advantages of the methods identified in (1) and (2)?
4 Present your findings to the rest of the class through discussion.

You have learnt that birth rates are mainly responsible for rapid population growth Therefore, measures which can reduce the birth rate should be adopted mainly for example birth control pills, vasectomy, emergency contraception and tubal ligation

Population Distribution and Population Density in Africa

When you move around your community, you will realise that people are many in some areas and few in other areas. The way how people occupy or settle in a given area is known as population distribution. Population distribution in Africa are not uniform.

Population distribution maybe dense where people are many and sparse where people a few.
Population distribution is influenced by a number of factors which are both physical and human. After doing tasks in tasks in activity 28.7, you are going to understand the factors responsible for population distribution in Africa

Activity 28.7 Finding out the factors population distribution in Africa

In groups,

Explain how the following factors influence population distribution in Africa.

a) Relief
b) Climate
c) Vegetation
d) Soils

Suggest factors that influence population distribution in Africa. Present your work to the rest of the class through discussion

You have learned that for people to live, they need resources from the environment. This means that areas with plenty of resources attract more people and those with limited or no resources attract less or no people.
The concentration of people per unit area is known as population density.

The density figures assume that people are evenly distributed all over the area even in those places where people do not live in like swamps, rivers and steep slopes. After doing tasks inactivity 28.8 you will be able to understand population density.

Activity 28.8 Understanding Population Density in Africa
In groups, study the map in Figure 28.2 showing the population density in Africa and do the tasks that follow.

2 Suggest reasons for high, moderate and low population in the areas you have identified in (1).

3 Explain the factors which affect population density in Africa.

4 Present your findings to the rest of the class through discussion.

You have learnt that in Africa 90% of the population is concentrated in less than 21% of the land surface. The distribution of population and settlements across a country and their interconnectivity and accessibility from urban areas are important for delivering healthcare, distributing resources and economic development.

Urbanisation in Africa

Africa is the fastest-urbanizing region in the world with an average annual urbanization rate of 3.2%. Currently, 472 million people live in African cities and this number is expected to grow to 810 million people by 2035. Rapid urbanization has important implications on how residents live their day-to-day life, as well as how businesses operate. Urbanization occurs when people move from rural areas and settle in towns. This process is known as rural-urban migration.

Rural- Urban Migration

You might have shifted from one area to another or you might have seen your neighbour shift from one area to another. You can share with your friends why people move from one area to another. After doing tasks in activity 28.9, you will understand the factors responsible for rural-urban migration.

Activity 28.9 In groups; Understanding the factors responsible for rural-urban migration

1 Discuss the factors that have led to rural-urban migration?

2 Present your work to the rest of the class through discussion.

3 Present your work to the teacher for further guidance.

You have realised that Africa’s urban population has been rapidly increasing due to rural-urban migration. Rural-urban migration is caused by a number of factors. The factors that force people to leave their areas of origin are called push factors. Those that attract people to areas of their destination are called pull factors.

Urbanization involves a number of processes. After doing tasks in activity 28.10, you will understand the characteristics of urban centers in Africa.

Activity 28.10 Understanding the characteristics of urban centres

Study map in figure 28.3 showing the major urban centres in Africa and do the following tasks.

1. What is meant by the term urbanisation?

2. Copy the map in figure 28.3 showing the major urban centres in Africa into your note book and show the capital cities of the countries indicated.

3. Write down the top ten cities of Africa. 4. What is the rank position of your country’s capital city?

5. Explain the characteristics of urban centres in Africa?

6. Describe the relationship between a rapidly growing population and urbanisation.

7. Share your work with the rest of the class through discussion You have learnt that urbanisation in Africa is not uniform. Some cities are more urbanised than others. Urbanisation is the process through which cities grow, and higher percentages of the population shift from rural areas to urban centres. Urban areas in Africa are poorly planned. This has resulted in the development of slums or informal settlements in the areas surrounding urban centres.

Functions of Urban Centres

In Senior Two, you learnt that urban centres have a number of functions to the development of East African countries. You can remember a number of functions you learnt about. After doing tasks in activity 28.11, you will understand the functions of urban centers in Africa.

Activity 28.11 Understanding Functions of urban areas

In groups; study photographs A-D in Figure 28.4 and do the tasks that follow.

1 Identify the functions of urban centres shown in each photograph in figure 28.4

2 Suggest other functions of urban centres.

3 Suggest ways through which urbanisation leads to development of an area?

4 Present your findings to the rest of the class through discussion.

You have learnt that, urban centres are used as commercial centres, administrative centres, educational and residential centres. Cities play an important role in economic development.

They provide economies of scale, accumulation, and localisation they provide efficient infrastructure and services through density and concentration in transportation, communications, power, human interactions, water and sanitation services. Urban areas are very developed, meaning there is a density of human structures such as houses, commercial buildings, roads, bridges, and railways.

Factors responsible for rapid Urban Growth

Africa has experienced very high urban growth in the last 20 years. Growth rates have been about 3.5% per year. There are many factors that are responsible for this rapid urban growth. After doing tasks in activity 28.12, you will understand the factors responsible for rapid urban growth.

Activity 28.12 Understanding factors responsible for rapid urban growth

In groups;

1. Describe the factors responsible for rapid urban growth in Africa.
2. Present your work to the rest of the class through a discussion.
3. Present your work to the teacher for further guidance.

You have realised that urbanisation occurs mainly because people move from rural areas to urban areas which results into growth in the size of the urban population and the extent of urban areas.

Problems Facing Urban Areas in Africa

You might have realised that when an area develops, more people come to stay there. This is associated with problems such as poor waste disposal and pollution. After doing tasks in activity 28.13, you will understand better the problems facing urban areas in Africa

1 Describe the problems facing urban areas in each of the photographs in figure 28.5? 2 Present your findings to other groups through discussion.

You have found out that Urban areas are faced by problems such as unemployment, poor planning and high crime rates.

Solutions to the problems facing Urban Areas

https://www.civilserviceindia.com/subject/General-Studies/notes/urbanization-their-problems-and-their-remedies.html

Activity 28.14 Discussing solutions to the problems facing urban areas in Africa

In groups; study photographs A and B in figure 28.6 structures which ease problems of urbanisation and do tasks that follow.

1 Identify the solutions to the problems facing urban areas shown in figure 28.6. not shown in figure 28.6.

2 Carry out textbook research on other solutions to the problems facing urban areas

3 Present your findings with other groups through a discussion.

You have learnt that problems facing urban areas can be solved by involving local communities. Local communities can plant trees which can help in reducing air pollution. Air pollution can also be reduced by providing alternative transport systems. Governments of African countries should establish re-cycling industries or plants as a form of waste management.

CASE STUDIES OF URBANISED CITIES IN AFRICA

CAIRO

Cairo is the capital city of Egypt. It is among the top ten cities of Africa. Cairo is also the 19th largest city in the world, and among the world’s most densely populated cities. Cairo has the oldest and largest film and music industries in the Arab world, as well as the world’s second-oldest institution of higher learning, al-Azhar University.

Many international media, businesses, and organisations have regional headquarters in the city; the Arab League has had its headquarters in Cairo for most of its existence.

Lagos

Lagos is the largest city in Nigeria. It was the capital city of Nigeria before the government decided to move their capital to Abuja in the centre of the country in December 1991. It is the second city with the highest population in Africa. Lagos has the tallest skyline in Nigeria.

Lagos is also among the top ten of the world’s fastest growing cities and urban areas. The photograph in figure 28.9 shows part of Lagos After doing tasks in activity 28.15 you will be able to find out the characteristics functions, factors influencing growth, problems and solutions to the problems facing Lagos in Nigeria

Figure 28.9: Part of Lagos

Activity 28.15 Exploring characteristics, functions, factors influencing growth problems and solutions to the problems facing Lagos in Nigeria

Carry out a text book or internet research on Lagos and do the following tasks.

Find out;

1 Characteristics of Lagos

2 Functions of Lagos.

3 Factors influencing the growth of Lagos.

4 Problems facing Lagos. 5 Efforts being made to solve problems facing Lagos.

6 Draw a sketch map showing the location of Lagos.

7 Present your findings with other groups through discussion.

You have realised that most of the cities in Africa have common functions such as being used as educational centres, tourism and recreational centres, factors influencing their growth such as, availability of educational facilities, investment opportunities, problems such as rural-urban migration and high levels of pollution.