The Demography of Africa

(Hardback)

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Description

Written lucidly and simply to serve as an introduction to the study of the African continent from a human population perspective, this book demonstrates important factors in the ebb and flow of group size and structure using the example of the fastest growing region in the world. From a total original population of less than a quarter million in prehistoric times to the present count of 642 million people in 1990, Africa is now demonstrating an annual growth rate of 3.0%, the highest on the planet. While the rest of the world's population is expected to increase by 60%, Africa's is expected to increase by 100%, doubling by the year 2025 to a projected total of 1.6 billion people. The major factor creating the high growth rate is the drop in death rates while the fertility rates remain high. Stress on the population has been related to urbanization which has increased since African countries attained independence in the 1960s. Employment opportunities in cities are inadequate and slum conditions have appeared around most major cities. Since agriculture remains the major industry and occupation, rural development policies are seen to hold the most promise for stemming urban migration and reducing famine and poverty.

Reviews

The Demorgraphy of Africa examines a myriad of demographic topics in its sixteen chapters and is very well documented. A well written and accessible book. The author achieved his objectives of assessing and analyzing past, current, and probable future population trends and patterns in Africa....I strongly recommend the book to those interested in demographic issues. Traver's work should serve as a must reference source on African population.-International Journal of African Historical Studies
"The Demorgraphy of Africa examines a myriad of demographic topics in its sixteen chapters and is very well documented. A well written and accessible book. The author achieved his objectives of assessing and analyzing past, current, and probable future population trends and patterns in Africa....I strongly recommend the book to those interested in demographic issues. Traver's work should serve as a must reference source on African population."-International Journal of African Historical Studies

Author Bio

JAMES D. TARVER died in June 1996. Dr. Tarver was Demographic Consultant for the United rations, Professor of Demography at the University of Botswana, Director of Demographic Research and Training at the University of Georgia, and most recently, Professor of Sociology and Anthropology at Howard University. He was the editor of Urbanization in Africa: A Handbook (Greenwood, 1994) as well as the author of many journal articles on demography and migration in rural and urban settings.