Population Density and Development in China and Nigeria
Introduction
This page develops resources and activities that focus on the population density and nature of voluntary internal migration in both China and Nigeria. It starts with simple economic data to compare the two countries, which show stark differences but interesting similarities. It then goes on to look at the pattern of megacity growth and patterns of core-periphery firstly, through a map-from-memory activity and then later, through a detailed mapping activity based on a well-focused resource pack (on the site). It then looks deeper into the patterns of migration through an excellent Economist videographic and worksheet as well as snippets from published journals on the causes of migration in Nigeria.
Enquiry Question
How do population density and voluntary internal migration affect China and Nigeria in terms of core-periphery and megacities?
Lesson Time: 2 Hours
Lesson Objectives:
- To describe the patterns of internal migration in China and Nigeria
- To assess the causes of internal migration and its impact on core-periphery and mega city growth
Starter Activity -Graph activity on largest cities -Project the graph showing the largest cities in Nigeria and China and students should comment on what they see
1. Comparative writing -Comparing Economic Development- Place and Processes -Students should study the data set of economic development indicators for China and Nigeria and write a paragraph comparing them.
Note: Students should remember to refer to both countries properly and develop both similarities and differences
2. Map from Memory - Population Density Map_Place and Processes - Students should work as a group to annotate a template map based on the information provided in the hidden map. It can be done by printing the map and placing it on your classroom wall or having it projected on your own computer screen. Allocate each student a number. Only one student can come up to the image at a time when called up by number and then they must explain to their team how to fill in the template map using memory, using sound geographical references and no pointing.
3. Critical Thinking on Maps- Synthesis -Follow this up with a class discussion on the influences and reliability of the map
4. Mapping Activity -Place and Processes -Introduce the key concepts with the text box and teacher talk then, using the resources in the site gallery and PDF mapping templates students should map the population density, core-periphery and internal migration patterns in both China and Nigeria.
5. Videographic Comprehension - Place and Processes -Students should then watch the Economist video graphic and complete the questions on the worksheet provided.
6. Map Analysis -Nigeria Internal Migration - Place and Processes - Using the map, students should describe the geographical pattern of internal migration and suggest reasons for it.
7. Reading Comprehension - Internal migration in Nigeria -Power, Place and Processes -Students should then read the text from the site and identify the patterns and causes of internal migration in Nigeria
8. Student Assessment - Report -Place Power and Possibilities - Write a report in the region of 800 words on population distribution and economic development at the national scale, in China and Nigeria. Include in your report the pattern of voluntary internal migration, core-periphery patterns and megacity growth. This report should integrate the completed maps from the lesson.
Study the following graph adapted from Bloomberg and based on 2015/2016 OECD data and comment on the pattern of the largest cities in Nigeria and China.
- Megacity - A city with a population of over 10 million people
- Millionaire City - A city with a population of over 1 million people
- Primate City - A disproportionately larger city in the urban hierarchy in a country
- Urban Hierarchy - The hierarchy of settlements in a country from megacities, cities, large towns, towns and villages
Source: Bloomberg and OECD
The graph shows that China dominates the list of largest cities with the 4 largest being in China. Lagos only has two cities of notable size in the millions compared to China's 15 cities +/- 10 million people
Study the data and compare the levels of economic development in China and Nigeria. Remember to classify their economic development and pick out both the big differences and similarities.
| Nigeria | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Real GDP PPP $ 2023 - CIA | 1,275 Trillion | 31 227 Trillion |
| GDP per capitta PPP - World Bank | 6,138.2 | 24,557 |
| GDP per capita $ 2023 - CIA | 5,700 | 22,100 |
Labour force occupation - Statista Agriculture Manufacturing Services | 52 35 13 | 22.8 29.1 48.1 |
| Population below the poverty line - World Bank | 2023 40.1% | 2021 15.1% Based on middle income - $5.50 a day |
| GINI Coefficient - CIA | 35.1 | 37.1 |
Student Activities - Place and Processes - Population Density-Map from Memory
Work as a group to annotate your template maps as best as you, based on the information provided. Only one student can come up to the image at a time when called up and then they must explain to their team how to fill in the template map using memory.
Once the map from memory activity is complete discuss the following points:
- What do you think influences the pattern of population density in both countries
- How do think the maps may be unreliable?
The proximity to the ocean, ports and trading routes are major influences on the population density in both countries. Ports enable trade and trade enables urban growth and industrialization. Both countries are vast in size and so distance-decay occurs in relation to economic development and growth away from the coast. Interior geographies suffer from being land locked, investment is slower and transport infrastructure tends to be biased to economically wealthier regions. For China this means its east coast is more populated and for Nigeria it means its south region and delta region is more populated. Nigeria's delta was also its fertile plain so land resources can support larger populations. The delta also situates vast oil reserves.
Choropleth maps can over-generalise and fail to show regional differences.
Map from Memory Data
Using the resources in the site gallery and PDF mapping templates map the population density, core-periphery and internal migration patterns in both China and Nigeria.
Key Concepts
Core-Periphery - Core-Periphery Models suggest that some cities, regions or countries develop faster because of human and physical advantages and turn into the core regions and other areas that lack human and physical advantages become less important periphery regions. Core areas experience greater growth, investment and net migration gain, while the peripheries are slower to develop, may well be exploited and suffer from lack of investment or alternatively experience a slow trickle down of investment.
Internal Migration - The movement of people within a country for both voluntary and involuntary reasons.
Watch the following videographic on China and complete the questions on the worksheet provided.
China Internal Migration Worksheet
Read the following text and identify the patterns and causes of internal migration in Nigeria
Extracts adapted from IOM report 2014 Patterns of Migration in Nigeria 2014 and Causes and Consequences of Rural-Urban Migration Nigeria: A Case Study of Ogun Waterside Local
Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria, by Omonigho T. Okhankhuele
The 2006 Population and Housing Census revealed that more than 10 per cent of Nigerians are lifetime migrants or live in states other than their states of birth. People born in Ogun, Kwara, Osun and Imo are the most migratory, with more than 20 per cent living in other states. The Internal Migration Survey conducted by the National Population Commission in 2010 revealed that 23 per cent of the sampled population of Nigerians are migrants, having changed residence within 10 years, and 2 per cent are return migrants. This shows that a large number of Nigeria’s population is on the move internally.
A number of Nigerian studies have shown that government policies have been in favour of urban development, by purposely and continuously creating employment opportunities, educational opportunities and other infrastructural amenities in the urban areas, compared to the rural areas. This has resulted in inequality in development and quality of life between the rural and urban areas, therefore enhancing rural-urban migration.
These migratory flows are mostly influenced by a desire for better economic prospects and social facilities. The survey indicated that about 60 per cent of internal migrants reside in urban areas, with obvious consequences on socio-economic infrastructures in the urban areas.
The distribution of household population by migration status reveals that migrants constitute at least two-fifths of the total population in 7 of the 36 states of the country. The states with a relatively high proportion of migrants are Abia (48.7%), Ekiti (48.1%), Delta (45.3%), Imo (45.1%), Anambra (44.4%), Bayelsa (43.2%) and Lagos (40.1%).
The increasing importance of the south-south and north-central zones as the poles of migration flow in the country is related respectively to the huge natural resource base (specifically petroleum), and the administrative pull exerted by the burgeoning of Abuja into a federal capital city.
Use the student textbook in Unit 1 Population Change
Chapter 1d - China and Chapter 1e - Nigeria
Write a report in the region of 800 words on population distribution and economic development at the national scale, in China and Nigeria.
Include in your report an explanation of the causes and characteristics of :
- the pattern of voluntary internal migration
- core-periphery patterns
- megacity growth
This report should integrate the completed maps from the lesson.
Guidance
- This should be no more than three pages (typed including map evidence)
- Patterns of population should be mapped and described focusing on regions of high and low population density.
- The population distribution should be explained by geographical factors, including social, economic and environmental
- Patterns of voluntary internal migration should be described
- The resulting economic consequences of core-periphery and mega-city growth could be mapped and outlined