In human demography, what is population momentum?

• A. An increase in total fertility rate caused by improved healthcare and nutrition
• B. A rapid decrease in population size due to rising mortality and emigration
• C. The maximum number of individuals an environment can support indefinitely (carrying capacity)
• D. The tendency for a population to keep growing after fertility declines to replacement level because a large proportion of the population is in (or entering) reproductive ages due to past high fertility

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that population momentum refers to the continued growth of a population even after fertility rates have declined to replacement level.
2. Recognize that this phenomenon occurs because a large proportion of the population is currently in, or entering, their reproductive years due to previously high fertility rates.
3. Note that the age structure of the population is key: a youthful population with many individuals of reproductive age will continue to produce a significant number of births.
4. Realize that population momentum is not about changes in mortality or carrying capacity, but about the demographic structure and timing of reproduction.
5. Summarize that population momentum explains why population growth can persist temporarily despite fertility rates stabilizing at replacement level.