Name: Wu Ka Sin, Michelle Wu

Student No.: A-B3-1543-1

Course: SOCY215 - Understanding Population
Class section: 002
Date: 3 March 2015
Lecturer: Dr. Haiyan Liu
Word Count: 408 words
Time of consultation: 24 April 2015 (10:30)
Name of tutor: Brant, Chen Biao

Essay before consultation

2. How do think your perspective on the number of children you want to have in your
lifetime would differ if you lived in Western Europe as compared to living in subSaharan Africa?
Ans: Depending on the countries that I live, my perspective on the number of children
that I want to have in my lifetime would differ enormously. If I lived in Western
Europe, I will probably desire to give birth to more children comparing to that if I
were living in sub-Saharan Africa. This is because the social and economic
circumstances in Western Europe are generally much better than that of sub-Saharan
Africa. This indicates that I can afford to bring up more children on the account of the
higher living standards and social welfare. On the other hand, I will give birth to one
or even no child if I lived in sub-Saharan Africa as the population growth is too fast
due to the lack of access to birth control. There is insufficient availability of health
and education facilities. As a result, children will be worse off in sub-Saharan Africa
compared to that in Western Europe. This will then influence my decision about the

number of children that I desire to attain in a way to reduce my incentive to give birth
to more children.

4. How was the trend for birth rates in Macau like for the past few decades? What
might be the explanations for the consistent major changes of birth rates (or natural
population growth patterns) in Macau? (Information can be found at the
websitehttp://www.dsec.gov.mo/default.aspx?noredirect=true)
Ans: The trend for birth rates in Macau was increasing like for the past few decades.
With reference to the Macau Demography Statistics in 2013, the birth rates are 7.2 %
in 2003, 8.7% in 2008, 10.6% in 2011 and 12.9% in 2012. As we can see, the birth
rates in Macau was increasing from 2003 to 2012, nevertheless, it had decreased to
11.1% in 2013. The consistent major changes of birth rates (or natural population
growth patterns) in Macau might be explained by the fast economic growth and
development. This indicates that people living in Macau will probably obtain higher
income and thus their living standards. However, the birth rate has dropped 1.8% in
2013 on the account of the insufficient availability of education. There is not enough
schooling facility to meet the great demand and the increase in housing expenses has
also led to the drop of birth rate from 12.9% in 2012 to 11.1% in 2013.

Essay after consultation

2. How do think your perspective on the number of children you want to have in your
lifetime would differ if you lived in Western Europe as compared to living in subSaharan Africa?
Ans: Depending on the countries that I live, my perspective on the number of children
that I want to have in my lifetime would differ enormously. If I lived in Western

Europe, I will probably desire to give birth to more children comparing to that if I
were living in sub-Saharan Africa. This is because the social and economic
circumstances in Western Europe are generally much better than that of sub-Saharan
Africa. This indicates that I can afford to bring up more children on the account of the
higher living standards and social welfare. In addition, the availability of education
and medical facilities will enhance the quality of the children which are conducive to
their future. On the other hand, I will give birth to one or even no child if I lived in
sub-Saharan Africa as the population growth is too fast due to the lack of access to
birth control. There is insufficient availability of health and education facilities.
Furthermore, there is extreme poverty, lag in economic development and lower living
standards. As a result, children will be worse off in sub-Saharan Africa compared to
that in Western Europe. This will then influence my decision about the number of
children that I desire to attain in a way to reduce my incentive to give birth to more
children.

4. How was the trend for birth rates in Macau like for the past few decades? What
might be the explanations for the consistent major changes of birth rates (or natural
population growth patterns) in Macau? (Information can be found at the
websitehttp://www.dsec.gov.mo/default.aspx?noredirect=true)
Ans: The trend for birth rates in Macau was increasing like for the past few decades.
With reference to the Macau Demography Statistics in 2013, the birth rates are 7.2 %
in 2003, 8.7% in 2008, 10.6% in 2011 and 12.9% in 2012. As we can see, the birth
rates in Macau was increasing from 2003 to 2012, nevertheless, it had decreased to
11.1% in 2013. The consistent major changes of birth rates (or natural population
growth patterns) in Macau might be explained by the fast economic growth and

development. This indicates that people living in Macau will probably obtain higher
income and thus their living standards. Additionally, the advance in medical
technology has also contributed to the growth in birth rates as the health conditions of
people and newborn babies can be maintained at a better level. However, the birth rate
has dropped 1.8% in 2013 on the account of the insufficient availability of education.
There is not enough schooling facility to meet the great demand and the increase in
housing expenses has also led to the drop of birth rate from 12.9% in 2012 to 11.1%
in 2013.

Bibliography:
Weeks, R. John. 2012. Population: An Introduction to Concepts and Issues. 11th
Edition
http://www.dsec.gov.mo/default.aspx?noredirect=true