Population studies are carried out based on data collected by demographic censuses and field surveys, which are organized and interpreted by official government institutions and universities. The IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics) accumulates a large amount of research and statistical data on the Brazilian population.
Before looking at the representative data of the Brazilian population - which were recently updated after the 2010 census, it is important to emphasize that more than a series of observations and quantitative data, the census information is used as a reference for the formation of public policies in the different areas of society and segments of the economy, pointing out the weaknesses, potentials and the historical evolution of the most important aspects of our society.
Carrying out these analyzes also requires understanding some fundamental concepts used. by population studies in Brazil and also in the world, which will be highlighted below in the form of topics.
Birth rate: number of births x 1000 (‰) or x 100 (%)
total population
Mortality rate: number of deaths x 1000 (‰) or x 100 (%)
total population
fertility rate: average number of children of women between 15 and 45 years old.
Child mortality: number of children who died before reaching 1 year of life, measured at every 100 or every 1000 children born.
Life expectancy: average age that the population reaches.
vertical growth: difference between the number of births and the number of deaths.
migrations: lasting population movements.
1. Immigration: population entry;
2. Emigration: population output.
Horizontal growth or migration balance: difference between immigration (incoming) and emigration (outgoing).
Vegetative Growth: difference between birth and death rates.
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Demographic Bonus: situation in which the active population, with the potential to occupy jobs and the consumer market, surpasses the inactive ones (children and the elderly).
Total growth: difference between vegetative growth and migration balance.
Total Population: total growth added to the resident population.
demographic transition: transition from a situation of high birth rate and high mortality rate to a situation of stability, through low birth and mortality rates. Japan is an example of a country that is at an advanced stage of demographic transition, with great aging.
external migrations: intracontinental or intercontinental movements.
Internal migrations: intraregional or interregional movements.
Rural exodus: lasting movements in the countryside-city direction.
urban exodus: lasting movements in the city-country direction.
pendular migrations:
1. seasonal: carried out in a certain period of the year due to natural and/or economic factors, such as Northeastern hinterland farmers who migrate seasonally according to the dry season. intense;
2. Transhumance: displacement related to pastures that migrate according to the needs of the herds and the supply of resources such as water and pastures;
3. Daily:
3.1: urban-urban: movements performed from the so-called dormitory cities towards the workplace;
3.2: urban-rural: movements performed by mobile workers, also known as boias-frias.
4. Recreation and tourism: daily, weekly or monthly movements, with the aim of leisure, family meetings or circle of friends.
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¹ Image credits: Valestock and Shutterstock
Julio César Lázaro da Silva
Brazil School Collaborator
Graduated in Geography from Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP
Master in Human Geography from Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
SILVA, Julius César Lázaro da. "Concepts of Population"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/geografia/conceitos-populacao.htm. Accessed on June 27, 2021.
