Exam 15: Population, urbanization, and Environment

Correct Answer:

Answered by Examlex AI Copilot

The term "crude" in "crude birth rate" refers to the simplicity of the calculation and the broad, general nature of the measurement. The crude birth rate (CBR) is a demographic indicator that measures the number of live births per 1,000 people in a population over a specific period, typically one year. It is called "crude" because it does not take into account the age or sex distribution of the population.

The CBR is a basic measure that provides an overall picture of fertility levels within a population, but it does not provide detailed information about who is giving birth. For example, it does not differentiate between births to younger or older mothers, nor does it consider whether the population has more people of childbearing age or not. This lack of specificity can lead to misleading interpretations, especially when comparing birth rates across different populations with varying age structures.

In contrast to the crude birth rate, there are more refined measures of fertility that account for the age structure of the population, such as the age-specific fertility rate (ASFR) and the total fertility rate (TFR). The ASFR measures the birth rate for specific age groups, typically women of childbearing age (15-49 years), while the TFR estimates the average number of children a woman would have over her lifetime based on current age-specific fertility rates.

In summary, the crude birth rate is considered "crude" because it is a simple and general measure that does not account for the demographic characteristics of the population, such as age and sex, which can significantly influence fertility rates and patterns.