Basic Secondary Data Analysis

The world today has got numerous pressing problems; one of them is the issue on unchecked population. This paper discusses the issue of the unchecked population growth in today’s society. The paper will revolve around four countries with different levels of economic development on a variety of population variables along with some economic and social variables. These countries will be compared and contrasted in order to provide the clear understanding on the population issue and its related consequences. 

The low income country applied in this case is called Kenya. The lower middle income country in this case is called Ghana. The upper middle income country is called Argentina. The high income country in this case is called Japan. 

Population variables 

In this section there will be a table of the four countries illustrating some of the population variables which include; 

Population 

Population density 

Crude Birth Rate (CBR) 

Crude Death Rate(CDR) 

Rate of Natural Increase(RNI) 

Population Doubling Time (PDT) 

Hundred Year Population Projection (HPP) 

Table 1: Population Measures 

The population density refers to the measurement of population per unit area. According to this table the population density varies in the four countries. In some countries like the low income countries and lower middle income countries have a higher population density with the high income country having the highest population density. The national wealth and the population density relate in a number ways, it seems that the country with a lot of wealth is able to take care of its people better than the other three countries as is seen in japan the number of people living in a certain area are numerous. The population density also varies with the population of the country as is seen with Argentina (Wilkinson & Pickett, 2006). 

The population growth rate also varies with the wealth of a certain country, when the national wealth increases the rate of population growth decreases. In the recent years the population growth rate in Japan has reduced drastically as compared to Kenya which is the low income country. The Rates of Natural Increase are increasing as the national wealth increases, in Japan the Rate of Natural Increase 1% is lower than the RNI of Kenya which is 1.6%. The population Doubling Time has increased as the national wealth increases, this means that the time before the population doubles becomes longer as the wealth increases. As the population increases above normal the following are the negative outcomes to expect; population reduces the rate of capital formation, a higher population leads to more investment hence more money, it reduces the availability of capital, unemployment, scarcity of food and increased in levels of poverty. 

Economic variables 

Economic variables include; 

Gross Domestic Product(GDP) per capita growth rate 

Gross National Income(GNI) per capita 

Social variables 

The social variables include the following; 

Total fertility rate 

Infant Mortality Rate 

Under 5 y/o Mortality Rate 

Adult Illiteracy 

Life Expectancy for men and women 

All this information is presented in the table below; 

Table 2: Economic and Social Measures 

Kenya’s brief outline: 

Kenya obtained its independence in 1963, it is made up of a diverse population which has a number of 42 tribes. Kenya is a presidential republic, means it is led by a president who is elected after every five years, its last election was held on March 2013. The president is called Uhuru Kenyatta who is trying to fight corruption which has crippled his government. The country has a bicameral parliament and an independent judiciary. 

Ghana’s brief outline: 

Ghana obtained its independence in 1957: it is also made up of a diverse population of 14 tribes. Ghana is a presidential republic, whereby the president is elected after 4 years, the last elections were held on 8 December 2012. The president is called John Dramani Mahama. The country has a unicameral parliament and an independent judiciary. 

Argentina’s brief outline: 

Argentina obtained its independence from Spain in the year 1816, after Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay separated from each other. Most of Argentina’s history was dominated by periods of internal political conflict. Argentina is made up of three ethnic groups; Whites, Mestizo, Amerindian. Argentina is a presidential republic with its elections held after every 4 years, the senate last held its elections on 25 th October 2015 and Chambers of Deputies last held on 25 th October 2015. It has also an independent judiciary. 

Japan’s brief outline: 

Japan was never colonized but has developed itself till now. The ethnic groups in japan are Japanese, Koreans and Chinese. It is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy held by a prime minister. The legislative is bicameral, made up of the House of Councilors and the House of Representatives. Last elections was held on 14 th December 2014.it is now led by Prime Minister Shinzo ABE, who is determined to improve Japan’s economy and boost the country’s international ratings. 

Conclusion 

It is evident that the high income countries have well planned governments than the low income countries. Proper planning, financial stability, political stability, unity and peace are the prior and most important tools used by Japan; this is what differentiates them from the rest, Kenya, Ghana and Argentina (Hales, Howden-Chapman, Salmond, Woodward, & Mackenbach, 1999). Perhaps a true difference maker would like to live in Kenya and try to make a difference there. Nonetheless, the quality of life in Japan is the best as compared to Kenya, Argentina and Ghana. 

References 

Hales, S., Howden-Chapman, P., Salmond, C., Woodward, A., & Mackenbach, J. (1999). National infant mortality rates in relation to gross national product and distribution of income. The Lancet, 354(9195) , 2047. 

Wilkinson, R. G., & Pickett, K. E. (2006). Income inequality and population health: a review and explanation of the evidence. Social science & medicine, 62(7) , 1768-1784.