Global Urban Observatory Section

Statistics

Demography

The total population of Northern America in 1995 was 282 million. By the year 2000 the population will reach 309 million. Sex composition is improving steadily and by 2000 it will be 96 male per 100 females. The trend of population under 14 years is declining and older persons above 65+ is increasing continuously during the next millennium. Young population below 14 years will be 21.6 percent in 1990 and with down trends it will reach to 19.6 percent in 2025. Old population above 65 years age will increase from 12.4 percent in 2000 to 18.1 percent by 2025.

In terms of population, United States of America is the largest country in this region. The urbanization level is highest in this region. It will remain highest in the next century also. By 2000, 77.2 percent population will live in urban area in this region. It will increase to 83.3 percent by the year 2025.

The total number of households in 2000 is 121606 thousand. The number of households by 2025 will reach 176303 thousand. The average size of the households is declining as is the case in other regions as well. The average size of household in 1990 was 2.68 persons, in 2000 it will be 2.52 and by 2025 it will go down to 2.10 persons per household which is the lowest figure among the regions.

Life expectancy at birth for male and female is highest in this region compared, to the rest of the other regions. The life expectancy for male and female during 1990-1995 was 72.8 and 79.5 years respectively. This has an increasing trend both for male and female. The female life expectancy is always higher than male. In 1995-2000 period, the life expectancy for male and female will be 73.6 and 80.2 years. This will reach to 76.9 and 82.7 years respectively for male and female in the period of 2020-2025.

The total population growth rate in 1990 was 1.03 percent, in 1995 it was 1.01 percent and by the declining trend the growth rate will be 0.79 percent in 2000, 0.71 in 2005 and 0.62 in 2025. Urban population growth rate will also be on the same growing trends as of the total population. The urban population growth rate in 1990 was 1.21 percent. In 2000, it will be 1.05 percent, 1 percent growth rate in 2005 and 0.90 percent in 2025.

The rural population growth rate in 1990 was 0.47 percent and -0.06 percent in 2000 and followed by negative trends afterwards in the next millennium. In 2005, the rural population growth rate will be -0.30 percent, in 2010 of -0.43 percent and in 2025 of -0.72 percent.

The number of household will increase by a rate of 1.62 percent in 1995, which will be maintained up to 2005. In 2010, the growth rate goes up at the level of 1.66 percent but again it will go down. The growth rate of number of households in 2015 will be 1.52 percent and in 2025 it will be 1.30 percent. With the above rates, the increment in the number of household in 5 years period of 1990-1995 was 8645, in 1995-2000 will be 9414 household and between 2020-2025 it will be 11025.

Housing & Social Indicators

The total living quarters in United States in 1995 were 106403 thousand, and in Canada, 10,018 thousand. Housing units with piped water in USA and Canada in 1995 are 99.7% and 99.9%. In USA, 97.7% units are with toilets and 97.1% with kitchens, whereas in Canada, 99.6% units are with toilets.

The illiteracy rate in Northern America was 8.3 percent for the total population, 7.6 percent for male and 8.9 percent for female population in 1995. There indicates a gradual improvement in the illiteracy rate from 1985 which was for total population 9.1 percent, for male 8.2 percent and for female 9.9 percent.

Space, Infrastructure & Economy Indicators

The total area of the region is 1967612 thousand hectare, out of which the land area is 1872207 thousand hectare. The population density per thousand hectare in 1985 was 143 person, in 1990 was 151 persons, and in 1995 it was 158 persons.

In 1995, arable land & land under permanent crop is 0.79(ha/cap); permanent meadows & pastures is 0.9(ha/cap); forest & woodlands is 2.66 (ha/cap); and other land is 1.96 (ha/cap).

The number of economically active population in 1985, 1990 and 1995 are 122112 thousand, 140385 thousand and 157101 thousand respectively. Out of total economically active population, the percent of female economically active population are 41.4 percent in 1985; 44.9 percent in 1990,and 46.4 percent in 1995 which is higher than world total figures and also figures for Europe for 1990 and 1995.
 

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