The hypothetical island country of Gilder lies in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of
France. Demographers have studied Gilder for the past 50 years. At the beginning of the
study, Gilder had a population of 20 million. The demographers have measured birth and
death numbers, as well as immigration and emigration numbers, as shown in the data table.
From the data,
Calculate the population of Gilder for each 10-year period by filling in the Population (NO) and Population
(NU) columns in the data table. Use this formula to do your calculations:
Population size:
N=N, + (+ 1) - (D+E)
initial population = 20,000,000
Answer:
Year
Population (N)
Population (N.)
20,000,000
20,820,000
20,820,000
Births
1,400,000
1,600,000
2,000,000
2,300,000
2,500,000
Deaths
600,000
500,000
400,000
350,000
350,000
Immigrants
40,000
100,000
150,000
170,000
200,000
Emigrants
20,000
20,000
15,000
12,000
10,000
30
50
b. Answer this question: Which of the following might reasonably explain the change in Gilder's population?
Explain your choice of answer(s).
prosperous economy only
improved health care only
prosperous economy along with improved health care
neither a prosperous economy nor improved health care